A woman buried in Hungary in the Bronze Age era

RISE484
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:
RISE484
Date:
2000 BCE - 1500 BCE
Biological Sex:
Female
mtDNA:
T1a1
Y-DNA:
Not applicable
Cultural Period:
Middle Bronze Age Vatya Culture, Hungary
Location
Country:
Hungary
Locality:
Erd 4
Coordinates:
47.3410, 18.8960
Map Location
Historical Timeline
Description

The Middle Bronze Age Vatya culture, flourishing from approximately 2000 to 1500 BCE, was a significant archaeological culture in present-day Hungary. It was primarily located in the region of Transdanubia, the area west of the Danube River, and is renowned for its distinctive contributions to the European Bronze Age cultural landscape.

Geographic Setting and Environment

The Vatya culture occupied a strategic geographical area characterized by fertile plains, river valleys, and rolling hills. This environment fostered rich agricultural activities and facilitated trade with neighboring cultures. The proximity to the Danube River, a major avenue for transportation and communication, contributed significantly to its economic and cultural development.

Economy and Subsistence

Agriculture and animal husbandry were the mainstays of the Vatya economy. The fertile lands allowed for the cultivation of cereals, such as wheat and barley, which were primary dietary staples. In addition to farming, the Vatya people practiced animal husbandry, raising livestock including cattle, sheep, and pigs. This combination provided a stable food supply and raw materials for clothing and tools.

Settlements and Architecture

Vatya settlements were typically fortified and often situated on elevated terrain, such as hilltops or elevated river terraces, which provided natural defenses. These settlements were characterized by circular or oval-shaped enclosures surrounded by ditches and ramparts. The architecture consisted of timber-framed houses with wattle-and-daub walls and thatched roofs. Some excavated sites, such as those at Százhalombatta, reflect complex layouts with organized living spaces and communal areas.

Material Culture and Craftsmanship

The Vatya culture is notable for its advanced metalworking skills. Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, was employed to produce a variety of tools, weapons, and ornaments. Common artifacts include axes, daggers, and spearheads, which demonstrate both practical use and artistic expression. Pottery from this period, often decorated with intricate geometric patterns and motifs, reflects both aesthetic and functional purposes.

Social Structure and Organization

The social structure of the Vatya culture likely included hierarchies, as inferred from burial practices and settlement layouts. Leaders or elites may have been distinguished by larger or more elaborate burial mounds and richer grave goods. The presence of fortified settlements suggests a level of organization and collective effort, indicating a tribal society with leadership roles.

Burial Practices

Burial customs of the Vatya culture provide insights into their beliefs and social stratification. Inhumation was the dominant practice, with bodies often buried in a flexed position. Grave goods, varying in number and complexity, accompanied the deceased, hinting at social status and personal identity. Specifically, metal objects placed in graves such as tools, weapons, and ornamental items, reflect both the craftsmanship and the significance of these items in the society.

Trade and Interactions

The Vatya culture engaged in extensive trade networks with neighboring cultures, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies. Evidence from metalwork and ceramics indicates interactions with other Bronze Age cultures in Central Europe. These networks allowed for the spread of innovations such as bronze metallurgy and the wheel, which played crucial roles in Vatya's cultural development.

Cultural and Historical Influence

As a part of the broader tapestry of the European Bronze Age, the Vatya culture played a crucial role in the cultural developments of the region. Its innovations in metallurgy and societal structures influenced subsequent cultures and were integral to the transition toward more complex societies in later periods.

In summary, the Middle Bronze Age Vatya culture in Hungary is characterized by its strategic geographical positioning, advanced metalworking and agricultural practices, and complex social organization. Its contributions to trade and cultural exchange significantly impacted the broader European Bronze Age landscape, marking it as a key player in prehistoric European history.

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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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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
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RISE547 2886 BCE Temrta IV, Russia View
RISE548 3300 BCE Temrta IV, Russia View
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RISE601 1000 BCE Verh-Uimon, Russia View
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Sample ID Culture/Period Date Location Action
RISE479 Middle Bronze Age Vatya Culture, Hungary 2000 BCE Erd 4, 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
RISE483 Middle Bronze Age Vatya Culture, Hungary 2000 BCE Erd 4, Hungary View
RISE254 Middle Bronze Age Vatya Culture, Hungary 2130 BCE Százhalombatta-Földvár, Hungary View
Ancient Genetic Admixture

Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (RISE484) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles ancient populations from different geographic regions.

European Hunter-Gatherers 36%
Western Steppe Pastoralists 32%
Neolithic Farmers 28%
Ancient Africans 3%
Modern Genetic Admixture

Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (RISE484) 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 98%
Southern European 53%
Iberian 28.3%
Italian 14.9%
Sardinian 5.6%
Balkan 4.0%
Northwestern European 42%
English 24.7%
Scandinavian 10.4%
Finnish 5.0%
Northwestern European 2.3%
Eastern European 3%
Eastern European 2.6%
Africa 2%
African Hunter-Gatherer 2%
African Hunter-Gatherer 2.3%
Oceania 0%
Melanesian 0%
America 0%
America 0%
G25 Coordinates

The G25 coordinates for the sample RISE484 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.

RISE484,0.11909554,0.14307218,0.04722264,0.01937506,0.04861312,0.00049916,0.00115896,0.0078721,0.02435982,0.02487738,-0.00780346,0.00739128,-0.01085646,-0.00129916,0.00938678,0.00301824,-0.01565522,-0.00074918,5.94E-06,0.00093226,0.00694396,0.00565468,-0.00610254,-0.00822858,0.00218505
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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