A man buried in Italy in the Early Bronze Age era

The Early Bronze Age Remedello Culture, situated in Northern Italy and particularly linked with the area of Remedello in the province of Brescia, represents a significant phase in the prehistoric development of the Italian Peninsula. This culture, dated broadly from around 3500 to 2200 BCE, is positioned chronologically between the late Neolithic and the advent of more complex Bronze Age societies in Italy. It reflects an era characterized by transformative social, technological, and cultural dynamics in prehistoric Europe.
Geographic and Chronological Context
The Remedello Culture is primarily associated with the Po Valley region in Northern Italy, which provided a fertile landscape conducive to agricultural development. The culture itself takes its name from the large cemetery found at Remedello Sotto, near Brescia. Chronologically, the culture spans from the transition between the late Neolithic into the early phases of the Bronze Age, marking a period of significant development and change across Europe.
Cultural and Social Aspects
Burial Practices: The Remedello Culture is particularly notable for its funerary customs, which provide insight into its social structures and belief systems. The Remedello cemetery, with more than 100 tombs excavated, reveals both individual and collective burials. The presence of grave goods, such as flint tools, daggers, and ornaments, suggests a society with hierarchical structures where status could be identified through burial rites.
Settlement Patterns: The settlement structure of the Remedello people was likely fragmented and dispersed, comprising small villages or hamlets. Evidence suggests an emphasis on agriculture supplemented by hunting and gathering, utilizing the fertile plains of the Po Valley.
Economy and Subsistence: Agriculture was vital, with the cultivation of cereals and legumes forming the staple diet. Animal husbandry was also significant, with domesticated cattle, sheep, and goats. The combination of these subsistence strategies indicates a mixed economy typical of early agro-pastoral societies.
Technological and Material Culture
Tool Production: The Remedello culture is distinguished by its flint and copper tools. The extensive use of flint for arrowheads and daggers with finely crafted forms is notable. Additionally, the development of copper metallurgy marks a critical technological advance, with tools and ornaments evidencing early metalworking skills.
Ceramics and Pottery: Pottery from this culture, though not as elaborately decorated as in some contemporary cultures, includes utilitarian forms for storage and cooking. These artifacts provide valuable information about domestic life and food preparation practices.
Linguistic and Ethnic Considerations
While the linguistic attributes of the Remedello Culture are not directly recorded, it is positioned within the broader framework of Proto-Indo-European migrations. Theories suggest that the movements of Proto-Indo-European speaking peoples may have influenced or been contemporaneous with cultural developments in regions like Northern Italy. However, the direct linkage of Remedello Culture to Proto-Indo-European is complex and inferred largely through archaeological and comparative studies rather than direct linguistic evidence.
Legacy and Influence
The influence of the Remedello Culture is discernible in the development of subsequent Bronze Age societies in the region, such as the Polada culture. It constitutes an integral part of the transition toward more complex societal structures and cultural expressions typical of later periods in Italian prehistory. The strategic location of the Po Valley played a crucial role as a corridor for cultural exchange and migration, contributing to the broader tapestry of European prehistoric cultures.
In conclusion, the Early Bronze Age Remedello Culture of Northern Italy epitomizes a formative and transitional epoch. Its advancements in metallurgy, burial rites, and agricultural practices set foundational precedents for the growth of civilization in the Italian Peninsula, and its legacy is observable in the cultural evolution leading into the middle and late Bronze Age across Europe.
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
RISE486 | Early Bronze Age Remedello Culture, Northern Italy | 2136 BCE | Lombardy. Remedello di Sotto, Italy | View |
Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (RISE486) 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 (RISE486) 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 RISE486 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.
RISE486,0.11302298,0.16064924,0.02507622,-0.04143838,0.05679422,-0.0209205,-0.0030943,0.0059439,0.04007694,0.06851786,-0.00399446,0.01425812,-0.02463708,-0.01403558,-0.00880956,0.00408504,0.01106698,-0.00139232,-0.0022357,-0.00330164,-0.00061426,0.002952,-0.01080528,-0.01859234,0.00448746
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.