A woman buried in Kazakhstan in the Middle Late Bronze Age era

RISE391
Portrait reconstruction
Disclaimer: The portrait shown is a speculative reconstruction and not the actual face of the ancient sample. It represents an artistic interpretation based on archaeological data.
Specimen Details
Sample ID:
RISE391
Date:
2126 BCE - 1885 BCE
Biological Sex:
Female
mtDNA:
N1a1a1a1
Y-DNA:
Not applicable
Cultural Period:
Middle to Late Bronze Age Sintashta Culture, Kazakhstan
Location
Country:
Kazakhstan
Locality:
Tanabergen II
Coordinates:
50.5930, 56.8300
Map Location
Historical Timeline
Description

The Middle to Late Bronze Age Sintashta culture, predominantly located in what is now Kazakhstan and the southern Ural region of Russia, represents one of the most significant archaeological cultures of the Eurasian Steppe. This culture thrived approximately between 2100 and 1800 BCE and is associated with a range of key developments in metallurgy, warfare, social organization, and early chariotry, marking a transitional and influential period in the prehistory of Central Asia.

Geography and Environmental Context

The Sintashta culture was based primarily in the steppe and forest-steppe zones, which are characterized by vast open grasslands interspersed with patches of woodland. These landscapes provided the necessary resources for pastoralism, which was the predominant subsistence strategy of the Sintashta people. The proximity to rivers, such as the Tobol, Ishim, and Ural, provided essential water sources and may have facilitated trade and communication.

Settlements and Architecture

Sintashta settlements are notable for their fortifications, which include defensive structures such as ditches and walls made from earth, timber, and stone. The sites were typically circular or oval in shape, often covering several hectares. Within these fortified areas, the dwellings were primarily rectangular and semi-subterranean, providing insulation against the harsh climatic conditions of the steppe. The presence of such fortifications suggests the prevalence of intergroup conflict or the need for defenses against raids.

Economy and Subsistence

The economy of the Sintashta culture was largely based on mixed agriculture and pastoralism, with evidence for the domestication of cattle, horses, sheep, and goats. Horses, in particular, were significant not only for transport and trade but also for their role in warfare, as evidenced by their integration with chariot technology. Archaeological evidence also points to the cultivation of crops such as wheat and barley, indicating a degree of agricultural sophistication.

Metallurgy and Craftsmanship

The Sintashta culture is particularly recognized for its advancements in metallurgy, especially in bronze-smelting techniques. This culture is often linked with the early production of arsenical bronze, which involves adding arsenic to copper to produce a more durable metal. This innovation allowed them to craft a range of tools and weapons, including axes, daggers, and ornaments. The metallurgical skills of the Sintashta people spread across the steppe and influenced several subsequent cultures.

Chariots and Warfare

One of the most remarkable contributions of the Sintashta culture is the development of early chariotry. Excavations have uncovered burial sites containing spoked-wheel chariots, which are among the earliest known examples and signify a revolutionary aspect of military technology and mobility. This suggests a society that placed significant emphasis on warfare and martial prowess, possibly driven by competition for resources or territorial expansion.

Social Organization and Burial Practices

The social structure of the Sintashta culture appears to have been hierarchical, as inferred from their burial customs. Elite individuals were interred in kurgans (burial mounds) accompanied by rich grave goods, including weapons, pottery, and ornaments. The presence of sacrificed animals, particularly horses, in these burials further underscores the importance of animals in their social and religious life. The complexity of these burial rites indicates a belief system involving an afterlife, where status and identity were maintained post-mortem.

Language and Culture

While there are no written records from the Sintashta culture itself, it is often associated with Proto-Indo-Iranian languages based on linguistic and archaeological correlations. The spread of these languages and cultural elements has been theorized to have stemmed from movements and interactions of Sintashta communities, influencing a broad swath of the Eurasian Steppe.

Legacy and Influence

The legacy of the Sintashta culture can be seen in its influence on subsequent cultures, such as the Andronovo culture, which inherited many of the Sintashta advancements in metallurgy and equestrian practices. The innovations in chariotry and metalwork undoubtedly set the stage for developments in warfare and technology across Eurasia. Additionally, the Sintashta culture contributes valuable insights into the formative processes of social complexity and cultural development on the steppe, playing a crucial role in the prehistory of the Indo-European-speaking peoples.

In conclusion, the Middle to Late Bronze Age Sintashta culture was a pivotal society in the Eurasian Steppe, distinguished by its metallurgical and military innovations, complex social organization, and significant contributions to later cultural and technological developments in the region.

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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
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RISE487 3485 BCE Lombardy. Remedello di Sotto, Italy View
RISE489 2909 BCE Lombardy. Remedello di Sotto, Italy View
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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
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RISE524 1300 BCE Kapova cave, Russia View
RISE525 1300 BCE Kapova cave, Russia View
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RISE601 1000 BCE Verh-Uimon, Russia View
RISE602 1000 BCE Sary-Bel, Russia View
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RISE568 Early Slavic Culture of Bohemia 600 CE Brandýsek (Central Bohemian Region, Kladno District), Czechia View
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RISE577 Early Bronze Age Únětice Culture 2500 BCE Velké-Přílepy (Středočeský kraj, okres Praha-západ), Czechia View
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Sample ID Culture/Period Date Location Action
RISE391 Middle to Late Bronze Age Sintashta Culture, Kazakhstan 2126 BCE Tanabergen II, Kazakhstan View
Ancient Genetic Admixture

Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (RISE391) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles ancient populations from different geographic regions.

Western Steppe Pastoralists 48%
European Hunter-Gatherers 35%
Neolithic Farmers 12%
Ancient Native Americans 5%
Modern Genetic Admixture

Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (RISE391) 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.

Europe 82%
Northwestern European 56%
English 46.3%
Scandinavian 5.6%
Finnish 4.4%
Eastern European 26%
Eastern European 25.5%
Asia 16%
Central Asian, Northern Indian & Pakistani 15%
Pakistan 14.7%
Northern West Asian 1%
Cypriot 0.8%
America 3%
America 3%
Native American 2.6%
G25 Coordinates

The G25 coordinates for the sample RISE391 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.

RISE391,0.1203667,0.09695602,0.04132174,0.03967056,0.01185008,0.0158241,0.00402914,0.00472522,-0.0110141,-0.0151735,-0.00023924,-4.48E-06,-0.00549218,-0.00672882,0.01203356,-0.00260792,-0.01553416,0.00255436,-0.00298524,-0.00635794,0.0006649,0.00406818,-0.0025664,0.01360486,0.00131257
Analyze it in G25 Studio
Scientific Papers References
Population genomics of Bronze Age Eurasia
Authors:
Allentoft ME, Sikora M, Sjögren KG
Abstract:

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.

Link:
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