A man buried in Poland in the Bronze Age era

The Corded Ware Culture, also known as the Battle Axe Culture or Single Grave Culture, was a significant prehistoric culture that spanned across much of Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe, with a strong presence in what is today Poland. Flourishing during the late Neolithic and early Bronze Age, approximately between 2900 BCE and 2350 BCE, this culture represents a pivotal period in European prehistory characterized by significant advancements in social, technological, and cultural developments.
Geographic and Temporal Context:
The Corded Ware Culture is named after the characteristic pottery style that is often decorated with cord-like impressions. It extended from the North European Plain through present-day Germany, Poland, and into the Baltic states and parts of Scandinavia, as well as eastward into Russia.
Archaeological Insights:
Settlements:
In Poland, evidence of Corded Ware settlements typically comprises dispersed farmsteads rather than large, dense villages. These communities were likely semi-nomadic, engaging in both agriculture and animal husbandry. Their settlements were not fortified, suggesting a lifestyle that balanced settled agriculture with pastoral nomadism.
Burial Practices:
The Corded Ware Culture is particularly noted for its burial traditions. Graves were typically individual and characterized by the presence of grave goods indicative of the deceased’s status and occupation. Burial mounds (barrows) were common, with bodies often buried in a flexed position, usually on their side, accompanied by tools, weapons (such as stone battle axes), and pottery. These grave goods suggest not only individual status but also a society that valued warriors, hunters, and possibly a form of early social hierarchy.
Pottery and Artifacts:
The pottery is one of the most distinctive aspects of this culture, known for its unique decorative techniques. The typical Corded Ware pottery includes beakers with incised decorations made using a corded impression. Other material artifacts that have been discovered include polished stone tools and bone artifacts, indicating a society skilled in crafting and commerce.
Cultural and Technological Developments:
Social Organization:
There is evidence to suggest that the Corded Ware people had a patriarchal society with social stratifications. The burials of males with weapons and specific artifacts indicate the potential existence of a warrior class.
Economy:
The economy was primarily based on agriculture, with evidence suggesting the cultivation of cereals and legumes. Animal husbandry was also a significant aspect, with cattle and sheep being prevalent. The use of horses, possibly brought over from the steppes, began to gain prominence and likely played a role in both agriculture and mobility.
Technology and Innovations:
One of the technological hallmarks of the Corded Ware Culture was the advancement in the use of metals. While stone tools remained in use, there was an increasing incorporation of copper objects. Moreover, the advent of wheeled vehicles and improved transportation technologies can be traced to this era, promoting trade and cultural exchange over larger distances.
Linguistic and Genetic Implications:
The Corded Ware Culture is often associated with the spread of Indo-European languages in Europe. Genetic studies have shown that this culture likely contributed significantly to the genetic makeup of modern European populations, representing a migration wave that brought both cultural and linguistic changes.
Interaction with Neighboring Cultures:
The Corded Ware Culture interacted with neighboring cultures, such as the Funnelbeaker Culture and later the Bell Beaker Culture. These interactions could be seen in the exchange of goods, technological innovations, and possibly cultural and religious beliefs.
Legacy:
The Corded Ware Culture is considered pivotal in shaping the prehistoric cultural landscape of Europe. Its influence persisted into the subsequent Bronze Age cultures, laying the groundwork for future social and technological developments. This era also marks a significant period of cultural transformations that contributed to shaping the demographic and cultural map of prehistoric Europe.
In summary, the Corded Ware Culture in Poland exemplifies a sophisticated society demonstrating significant advancements in agriculture, technology, and social organization, along with complex burial traditions and linguistic developments indicative of broader Eurasian influences.
Sample ID | Culture/Period | Date | Location | Action |
---|---|---|---|---|
RISE397 | Late Bronze Age Armenia | 1049 BCE | Kapan, Armenia | View |
RISE396 | Late Bronze Age Armenia | 1196 BCE | Kapan, Armenia | View |
RISE407 | Late Bronze Age Armenia | 1118 BCE | Norabak, Armenia | View |
RISE408 | Late Bronze Age Armenia | 1212 BCE | Norabak, Armenia | View |
RISE412 | Late Bronze Age Armenia | 1201 BCE | Noratus, Armenia | View |
RISE423 | Middle Bronze Age Armenia | 1407 BCE | Nerquin Getashen, Armenia | View |
RISE416 | Middle Bronze Age Armenia | 1616 BCE | Nerquin Getashen, Armenia | View |
RISE413 | Middle Bronze Age Armenia | 1919 BCE | Nerquin Getashen, Armenia | View |
RISE98 | Late Neolithic Sweden | 2278 BCE | L Beddinge 56, Sweden | View |
RISE174 | Iron Age Sweden | 433 CE | Oxie 7, Sweden | View |
RISE94 | Battle Axe Culture, Sweden | 2623 BCE | Viby, Sweden | View |
RISE97 | Late Neolithic Sweden | 2030 BCE | Fredriksberg, Sweden | View |
RISE175 | Bronze Age Sweden | 1396 BCE | Abekås I, Sweden | View |
RISE210 | Bronze Age Sweden | 1436 BCE | Ängamöllan, Sweden | View |
RISE179 | Late Neolithic Sweden | 2015 BCE | Abekås I, Sweden | View |
RISE207 | Bronze Age Sweden | 1495 BCE | Ängamöllan, Sweden | View |
RISE497 | Karasuk Culture, Russia | 1400 BCE | Arban 1, Russia | View |
RISE505 | Andronovo Culture, Russia | 1862 BCE | Kytmanovo, Russia | View |
RISE493 | Karasuk Culture, Russia | 1518 BCE | Sabinka 2, Russia | View |
RISE495 | Karasuk Culture, Russia | 1400 BCE | Arban 1, Russia | View |
RISE511 | Afanasievo Culture | 2909 BCE | Bateni, Russia | View |
RISE523 | Mezhovskaya Culture, Russia | 1531 BCE | Kapova cave, Russia | View |
RISE496 | Karasuk Culture, Russia | 1416 BCE | Arban 1, Russia | View |
RISE552 | Early Bronze Age Yamnaya Culture, Kalmykia, Russia | 2846 BCE | Ulan V, Russia | View |
RISE500 | Andronovo Culture, Russia | 1700 BCE | Kytmanovo, Russia | View |
RISE504 | Iron Age 2 Russia | 709 CE | Kytmanovo, Russia | View |
RISE395 | Mid-Late Bronze Sintashta | 2008 BCE | Bol'shekaraganskii, Russia | View |
RISE499 | Karasuk Culture, Russia | 1400 BCE | Bystrovka, Russia | View |
RISE502 | Karasuk Culture, Russia | 1497 BCE | Bystrovka, Russia | View |
RISE548 | Early Bronze Age Yamnaya Culture, Kalmykia, Russia | 3300 BCE | Temrta IV, Russia | View |
RISE602 | Iron Age 3 Russia | 1000 BCE | Sary-Bel, Russia | View |
RISE601 | Iron Age 3 Russia | 1000 BCE | Verh-Uimon, Russia | View |
RISE503 | Andronovo Culture, Russia | 1731 BCE | Kytmanovo, Russia | View |
RISE547 | Early Bronze Age Yamnaya Culture, Kalmykia, Russia | 2886 BCE | Temrta IV, Russia | View |
RISE392 | Mid-Late Bronze Sintashta | 2131 BCE | Stepnoe VII Cemetery, Russia | View |
RISE600 | Iron Age 3 Russia | 1000 BCE | Verh-Uimon, Russia | View |
RISE550 | Early Bronze Age Yamnaya Culture, Kalmykia, Russia | 3335 BCE | Peshany V, Russia | View |
RISE507.508.merge | Afanasievo Culture | 3323 BCE | River Kuyum, Russia | View |
RISE394 | Mid-Late Bronze Sintashta | 1953 BCE | Bulanovo, Russia | View |
RISE386 | Mid-Late Bronze Sintashta | 2335 BCE | Bulanovo, Russia | View |
RISE512 | Andronovo Culture, Russia | 1488 BCE | Kytmanovo, Russia | View |
I3425 | Karasuk Culture, Russia | 1417 BCE | Sabinka 2, Russia | View |
RISE525 | Mezhovskaya Culture, Russia | 1300 BCE | Kapova cave, Russia | View |
RISE510 | Afanasievo Culture | 2848 BCE | Bateni, Russia | View |
RISE555 | Early Bronze Age Russia | 2853 BCE | Stalingrad Quarry, Russia | View |
RISE240 | Early Bronze Age Yamnaya Culture, Kalmykia, Russia | 2879 BCE | Sukhaya Termista I, Russia | View |
RISE554 | Late Bronze Age 2 Russia | 1009 BCE | Afontova Gora, Russia | View |
RISE546 | Early Bronze Age Yamnaya Culture, Kalmykia, Russia | 3300 BCE | Temrta IV, Russia | View |
I3423 | Karasuk Culture, Russia | 393 BCE | Sabinka 2, Russia | View |
RISE553 | Late Bronze Age 1 Russia | 927 BCE | Afontova Gora, Russia | View |
RISE524 | Mezhovskaya Culture, Russia | 1300 BCE | Kapova cave, Russia | View |
RISE150 | Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Poland | 1886 BCE | Przeclawice, Poland | View |
RISE109 | Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Poland | 1959 BCE | Wojkowice, Poland | View |
RISE154 | Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Poland | 1930 BCE | Szczepankowice, Poland | View |
RISE431 | Corded Ware to Proto-Unetice Culture, Poland | 2286 BCE | Leki Male, Poland | View |
RISE145 | Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Poland | 2191 BCE | Polwica, Poland | View |
RISE139 | Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Poland | 2137 BCE | Chociwel, Poland | View |
RISE1 | Corded Ware Culture, Poland | 2866 BCE | Oblaczkowo, Poland | View |
RISE595 | Late Bronze Age Montenegro | 1200 BCE | Velika Gruda, Montenegro | View |
I13170 | Montenegrin Iron Age | 800 BCE | Velika Gruda, Montenegro | View |
RISE391 | Middle to Late Bronze Age Sintashta Culture, Kazakhstan | 2126 BCE | Tanabergen II, Kazakhstan | View |
RISE598 | Late Bronze Age Lithuania | 906 BCE | Turlojiske, Lithuania | View |
I4139 | Early Bronze Age Staro-Unetice Culture, Czech Republic | 2500 BCE | Velké Přílepy, Czech Republic | View |
I4145 | Bell Beaker Culture, Czech Republic | 2282 BCE | Knezeves, Czech Republic | View |
RISE489 | Chalcolithic Remedello Culture, Northern Italy | 2909 BCE | Lombardy. Remedello di Sotto, Italy | View |
RISE487 | Chalcolithic Remedello Culture, Northern Italy | 3485 BCE | Lombardy. Remedello di Sotto, Italy | View |
RISE486 | Early Bronze Age Remedello Culture, Northern Italy | 2136 BCE | Lombardy. Remedello di Sotto, Italy | View |
RISE479 | Middle Bronze Age Vatya Culture, Hungary | 2000 BCE | Erd 4, Hungary | View |
RISE373 | Early Bronze Age Maros Culture, Hungary | 1887 BCE | Szöreg-C (Sziv Utca), Hungary | View |
RISE247 | Middle Bronze Age Vatya Culture, Hungary | 1743 BCE | Százhalombatta-Földvár, Hungary | View |
RISE484 | Middle Bronze Age Vatya Culture, Hungary | 2000 BCE | Erd 4, Hungary | View |
RISE480 | Middle Bronze Age Vatya Culture, Hungary | 1700 BCE | Erd 4, Hungary | View |
RISE374 | Early Bronze Age Maros Culture, Hungary | 1872 BCE | Szöreg-C (Sziv Utca), Hungary | View |
RISE483 | Middle Bronze Age Vatya Culture, Hungary | 2000 BCE | Erd 4, Hungary | View |
RISE349 | Early Bronze Age Maros Culture, Hungary | 2034 BCE | Battonya Vörös Oktober, Hungary | View |
RISE371 | Early Bronze Age Maros Culture, Hungary | 2137 BCE | Szöreg-C (Sziv Utca), Hungary | View |
RISE254 | Middle Bronze Age Vatya Culture, Hungary | 2130 BCE | Százhalombatta-Földvár, Hungary | View |
I4144 | Bell Beaker Culture, Germany | 2573 BCE | Osterhofen-Altenmarkt, Germany | View |
RISE446 | Corded Ware Culture, Germany | 2662 BCE | Bergrheinfeld, Germany | View |
RISE471 | Bronze Age Germany | 1687 BCE | Untermeitingen, Germany | View |
RISE434 | Corded Ware Culture, Germany | 2880 BCE | Tiefbrunn, Germany | View |
RISE436 | Corded Ware Culture, Germany | 2869 BCE | Tiefbrunn, Germany | View |
RISE435 | Corded Ware Culture, Germany | 2865 BCE | Tiefbrunn, Germany | View |
RISE61 | Middle Neolithic B Denmark | 2848 BCE | Kyndelöse, Denmark | View |
RISE71 | Late Neolithic Denmark | 2197 BCE | Falshöj, Denmark | View |
RISE47 | Bronze Age Denmark | 1499 BCE | Sebber skole, Denmark | View |
RISE276 | Late Bronze Age Denmark | 789 BCE | Trundholm II, Denmark | View |
RISE21 | Bronze Age Denmark | 1426 BCE | Karlstrup, Denmark | View |
RISE42 | Late Neolithic Denmark | 2193 BCE | Marbjerg, Denmark | View |
I4137 | Early Slavic Period, Czech Republic | 660 CE | Brandysek, Czech Republic | View |
I5026 | Early Slavic Period, Czech Republic | 600 CE | Brandysek, Czech Republic | View |
I3423 | 393 BCE | Sabinka 2, Russia | View | |
I3425 | 1417 BCE | Sabinka 2, Russia | View | |
I10565 | 2889 BCE | Bateni, Russia | View | |
I4124 | 2459 BCE | Augsburg, Germany | View | |
I4132 | 2500 BCE | Augsburg, Germany | View | |
I4143 | 2456 BCE | Landau an der Isar, Germany | View | |
I4144 | 2573 BCE | Osterhofen-Altenmarkt, Germany | View | |
I4134 | 2500 BCE | Osterhofen-Altenmarkt, Germany | View | |
I4145 | 2282 BCE | Knezeves, Czech Republic | View | |
I4136 | 2800 BCE | Knezeves, Czech Republic | View | |
I5026 | 600 CE | Brandysek, Czech Republic | View | |
I4137 | 660 CE | Brandysek, Czech Republic | View | |
I4139 | 2500 BCE | Velké Přílepy, Czech Republic | View | |
I4130 | 2800 BCE | Moravská Nová Ves, Czech Republic | View | |
I13170 | 800 BCE | Velika Gruda, Montenegro | View | |
I10565 | 2889 BCE | Bateni, Russia | View | |
I4130 | 2800 BCE | Moravská Nová Ves, Czech Republic | View | |
I4136 | 2800 BCE | Knezeves, Czech Republic | View | |
I4124 | 2459 BCE | Augsburg, Germany | View | |
I4134 | 2500 BCE | Osterhofen-Altenmarkt, Germany | View | |
I4143 | 2456 BCE | Landau an der Isar, Germany | View | |
I4132 | 2500 BCE | Augsburg, Germany | View | |
RISE507.508.merge | 3323 BCE | River Kuyum, Russia | View | |
RISE1 | 2866 BCE | Oblaczkowo, Poland | View | |
RISE21 | 1426 BCE | Karlstrup, Denmark | View | |
RISE42 | 2193 BCE | Marbjerg, Denmark | View | |
RISE47 | 1499 BCE | Sebber skole, Denmark | View | |
RISE61 | 2848 BCE | Kyndelöse, Denmark | View | |
RISE71 | 2197 BCE | Falshöj, Denmark | View | |
RISE94 | 2623 BCE | Viby, Sweden | View | |
RISE97 | 2030 BCE | Fredriksberg, Sweden | View | |
RISE98 | 2278 BCE | L Beddinge 56, Sweden | View | |
RISE109 | 1959 BCE | Wojkowice, Poland | View | |
RISE139 | 2137 BCE | Chociwel, Poland | View | |
RISE145 | 2191 BCE | Polwica, Poland | View | |
RISE150 | 1886 BCE | Przeclawice, Poland | View | |
RISE154 | 1930 BCE | Szczepankowice, Poland | View | |
RISE174 | 433 CE | Oxie 7, Sweden | View | |
RISE175 | 1396 BCE | Abekås I, Sweden | View | |
RISE179 | 2015 BCE | Abekås I, Sweden | View | |
RISE207 | 1495 BCE | Ängamöllan, Sweden | View | |
RISE210 | 1436 BCE | Ängamöllan, Sweden | View | |
RISE240 | 2879 BCE | Sukhaya Termista I, Russia | View | |
RISE247 | 1743 BCE | Százhalombatta-Földvár, Hungary | View | |
RISE254 | 2130 BCE | Százhalombatta-Földvár, Hungary | View | |
RISE276 | 789 BCE | Trundholm II, Denmark | View | |
RISE349 | 2034 BCE | Battonya Vörös Oktober, Hungary | View | |
RISE371 | 2137 BCE | Szöreg-C (Sziv Utca), Hungary | View | |
RISE373 | 1887 BCE | Szöreg-C (Sziv Utca), Hungary | View | |
RISE374 | 1872 BCE | Szöreg-C (Sziv Utca), Hungary | View | |
RISE386 | 2335 BCE | Bulanovo, Russia | View | |
RISE391 | 2126 BCE | Tanabergen II, Kazakhstan | View | |
RISE392 | 2131 BCE | Stepnoe VII Cemetery, Russia | View | |
RISE394 | 1953 BCE | Bulanovo, Russia | View | |
RISE395 | 2008 BCE | Bol'shekaraganskii, Russia | View | |
RISE396 | 1196 BCE | Kapan, Armenia | View | |
RISE397 | 1049 BCE | Kapan, Armenia | View | |
RISE407 | 1118 BCE | Norabak, Armenia | View | |
RISE408 | 1212 BCE | Norabak, Armenia | View | |
RISE412 | 1201 BCE | Noratus, Armenia | View | |
RISE413 | 1919 BCE | Nerquin Getashen, Armenia | View | |
RISE416 | 1616 BCE | Nerquin Getashen, Armenia | View | |
RISE423 | 1407 BCE | Nerquin Getashen, Armenia | View | |
RISE431 | 2286 BCE | Leki Male, Poland | View | |
RISE434 | 2880 BCE | Tiefbrunn, Germany | View | |
RISE435 | 2865 BCE | Tiefbrunn, Germany | View | |
RISE436 | 2869 BCE | Tiefbrunn, Germany | View | |
RISE446 | 2662 BCE | Bergrheinfeld, Germany | View | |
RISE471 | 1687 BCE | Untermeitingen, Germany | View | |
RISE479 | 2000 BCE | Erd 4, Hungary | View | |
RISE480 | 1700 BCE | Erd 4, Hungary | View | |
RISE483 | 2000 BCE | Erd 4, Hungary | View | |
RISE484 | 2000 BCE | Erd 4, Hungary | View | |
RISE486 | 2136 BCE | Lombardy. Remedello di Sotto, Italy | View | |
RISE487 | 3485 BCE | Lombardy. Remedello di Sotto, Italy | View | |
RISE489 | 2909 BCE | Lombardy. Remedello di Sotto, Italy | View | |
RISE493 | 1518 BCE | Sabinka 2, Russia | View | |
RISE495 | 1400 BCE | Arban 1, Russia | View | |
RISE496 | 1416 BCE | Arban 1, Russia | View | |
RISE497 | 1400 BCE | Arban 1, Russia | View | |
RISE499 | 1400 BCE | Bystrovka, Russia | View | |
RISE500 | 1700 BCE | Kytmanovo, Russia | View | |
RISE502 | 1497 BCE | Bystrovka, Russia | View | |
RISE503 | 1731 BCE | Kytmanovo, Russia | View | |
RISE504 | 709 CE | Kytmanovo, Russia | View | |
RISE505 | 1862 BCE | Kytmanovo, Russia | View | |
RISE510 | 2848 BCE | Bateni, Russia | View | |
RISE511 | 2909 BCE | Bateni, Russia | View | |
RISE512 | 1488 BCE | Kytmanovo, Russia | View | |
RISE523 | 1531 BCE | Kapova cave, Russia | View | |
RISE524 | 1300 BCE | Kapova cave, Russia | View | |
RISE525 | 1300 BCE | Kapova cave, Russia | View | |
RISE546 | 3300 BCE | Temrta IV, Russia | View | |
RISE547 | 2886 BCE | Temrta IV, Russia | View | |
RISE548 | 3300 BCE | Temrta IV, Russia | View | |
RISE550 | 3335 BCE | Peshany V, Russia | View | |
RISE552 | 2846 BCE | Ulan V, Russia | View | |
RISE553 | 927 BCE | Afontova Gora, Russia | View | |
RISE554 | 1009 BCE | Afontova Gora, Russia | View | |
RISE555 | 2853 BCE | Stalingrad Quarry, Russia | View | |
RISE595 | 1200 BCE | Velika Gruda, Montenegro | View | |
RISE598 | 906 BCE | Turlojiske, Lithuania | View | |
RISE600 | 1000 BCE | Verh-Uimon, Russia | View | |
RISE601 | 1000 BCE | Verh-Uimon, Russia | View | |
RISE602 | 1000 BCE | Sary-Bel, Russia | View | |
RISE492 | Karasuk Culture, Russia | 393 BCE | Sabinka-2 (Republic of Khakassia, Beysky District), Russia | View |
RISE559 | Bell Beaker Culture, Lech Valley, Germany | 2459 BCE | Augsburg (Bavaria), Germany | View |
RISE562 | Bell Beaker Culture, Germany | 2456 BCE | Dingolfing-Landau (Bavaria, Landau an der Isar), Germany | View |
RISE563 | Bell Beaker Culture, Germany | 2573 BCE | Osterhofen-Altenmarkt (Lower Bavaria, Deggendorf, Osterhofen), Germany | View |
RISE564 | Bell Beaker Culture, Germany | 2500 BCE | Osterhofen-Altenmarkt (Lower Bavaria, Deggendorf, Osterhofen), Germany | View |
RISE566 | Bell Beaker culture | 2282 BCE | Kněževes (Středočeský kraj, okres Praha-západ), Czechia | View |
RISE567 | Bell Beaker culture | 2800 BCE | Kněževes (Středočeský kraj, okres Praha-západ), Czechia | View |
RISE568 | Early Slavic Culture of Bohemia | 600 CE | Brandýsek (Central Bohemian Region, Kladno District), Czechia | View |
RISE569 | Early Slavic Culture of Bohemia | 660 CE | Brandýsek (Central Bohemian Region, Kladno District), Czechia | View |
RISE577 | Early Bronze Age Únětice Culture | 2500 BCE | Velké-Přílepy (Středočeský kraj, okres Praha-západ), Czechia | View |
RISE586 | Únětice culture | 2800 BCE | Moravská-Nová-Ves (South Moravian Region, Břeclav District), Czechia | View |
RISE596 | Montenegrin Iron Age | 800 BCE | Velika Gruda, Montenegro | View |
Sample ID | Culture/Period | Date | Location | Action |
---|---|---|---|---|
N47 | Corded Ware Culture, Poland | 2600 BCE | Pikutkowo, Poland | View |
N45 | Corded Ware Culture, Poland | 2600 BCE | Pikutkowo, Poland | View |
N49 | Corded Ware Culture, Poland | 2600 BCE | Pikutkowo, Poland | View |
N44 | Corded Ware Culture, Poland | 2571 BCE | Pikutkowo, Poland | View |
poz81 | Corded Ware Culture, Poland | 2881 BCE | Oblaczkowo, Poland | View |
poz44 | Corded Ware Culture, Poland | 2866 BCE | Oblaczkowo, Poland | View |
RISE1 | Corded Ware Culture, Poland | 2866 BCE | Oblaczkowo, Poland | View |
Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (RISE1) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles ancient populations from different geographic regions.
Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (RISE1) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles modern populations from different geographic regions.
These results complement the ancient ancestry components shown in the previous section, offering a different perspective on the individual's genetic profile by comparing it with modern reference populations rather than prehistoric ancestral groups.
The G25 coordinates for the sample RISE1 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.
RISE1,0.13501386,0.12051196,0.06954348,0.0629304,0.03915612,0.02803624,0.00188932,0.00625448,0.0026629,-0.01466052,-0.00542708,0.00266068,0.00502556,-0.00128902,0.0098669,0.00084838,-0.00655718,-4.108E-05,0.00021404,0.00046778,0.00551638,0.0015458,-0.00080268,0.0091894,-0.00038884
Population genomics of Bronze Age Eurasia
The Bronze Age of Eurasia (around 3000-1000 BC) was a period of major cultural changes. However, there is debate about whether these changes resulted from the circulation of ideas or from human migrations, potentially also facilitating the spread of languages and certain phenotypic traits. We investigated this by using new, improved methods to sequence low-coverage genomes from 101 ancient humans from across Eurasia. We show that the Bronze Age was a highly dynamic period involving large-scale population migrations and replacements, responsible for shaping major parts of present-day demographic structure in both Europe and Asia. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesized spread of Indo-European languages during the Early Bronze Age. We also demonstrate that light skin pigmentation in Europeans was already present at high frequency in the Bronze Age, but not lactose tolerance, indicating a more recent onset of positive selection on lactose tolerance than previously thought.