A man buried in Italy in the Copper Age era

RISE487
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:
RISE487
Date:
3485 BCE - 3103 BCE
Biological Sex:
Male
mtDNA:
H2a
Y-DNA:
I-PF3981
Cultural Period:
Chalcolithic Remedello Culture, Northern Italy
Location
Country:
Italy
Locality:
Lombardy. Remedello di Sotto
Coordinates:
45.2600, 10.3790
Map Location
Historical Timeline
Description

The Chalcolithic Remedello Culture, primarily centered in northern Italy, represents a fascinating era in prehistoric Europe, marked by technological, societal, and cultural transitions. This culture flourished approximately between 3400 and 2400 BCE, predominantly in the Po Valley and its surrounding areas, with the site of Remedello di Sotto being one of its prominent archaeological centers.

Geographic and Environmental Context

The Remedello Culture developed in the fertile plains of the Po Valley, an area characterized by its rich alluvial soils and its strategic position which facilitated trade and cultural exchanges. The region is flanked by the Alps to the north and the Apennines to the south, providing a variety of microclimates and resources, from forests and rivers to arable land. This advantageous location allowed the inhabitants to cultivate crops, raise livestock, and engage in metallurgy, establishing a foundation for economic and cultural growth.

Economy and Subsistence

The economy of the Remedello Culture was primarily agrarian, with evidence suggesting the cultivation of cereals such as wheat and barley, alongside legumes like peas and lentils. Animal husbandry was also vital, including the domestication of cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. This mixed farming economy supported a relatively stable food supply.

In addition to agriculture, the Remedello people were among the early adopters of copper metallurgy in the region. They exploited local copper sources to produce tools, weapons, and ornaments, underscoring the era's transition from stone to more advanced metal usage. This metallurgical knowledge indicates a degree of technological sophistication and suggests trade networks that could acquire raw materials and share technological expertise.

Settlement Patterns

Archaeological evidence reveals that Remedello settlements likely consisted of small, semi-permanent villages. These communities were strategically located near water sources, like rivers, to facilitate irrigation and provide resources for daily life. Settlements were likely composed of wooden structures which unfortunately do not survive well in the archaeological record, but their presence is inferred from postholes and other indirect evidence.

Social and Religious Structures

The rise of metallurgy and agriculture likely led to social stratification within Remedello society. Burial practices provide some insights, as exemplified by the Remedello di Sotto cemetery, which displays varying grave goods that suggest differing social statuses. Burials often included pottery, tools, and weapons, reflecting the individual's role or status.

The use of megalithic structures for burial and ritual purposes indicates a complex spiritual life, where ancestor worship and the veneration of natural elements were possibly significant. The presence of stelae and engraved stones, sometimes depicting anthropomorphic or symbolic motifs, further implies religious or ceremonial practices.

Artistic and Cultural Expressions

The Remedello Culture exhibited a burgeoning artistic expression, visible in their pottery, engraved stones, and metal craftsmanship. Pottery from this culture displays both utilitarian and decorative characteristics, with some vessels intricately painted or incised with geometric patterns.

Moreover, the production of ornate copper artifacts such as daggers, axes, and jewelry, not only served functional purposes but also showcased artisanship and possibly played a role in expressing wealth and social standing. These objects sometimes bore elaborate engravings, indicative of aesthetic values and possibly symbolic meanings.

Interaction and Legacy

The positioning of the Remedello Culture in northern Italy placed it at the crossroads of various cultural currents flowing through Europe. It likely engaged in trade and cultural exchanges with neighboring cultures, such as those in the Swiss and Austrian Alps to the north, and the Tuscan cultures to the south.

The legacy of the Remedello Culture can be seen in the subsequent developments of the regional Bronze Age civilizations. As a pivotal bridge between the Neolithic and the more complex societal structures of the Bronze Age, the Remedello Culture contributed to the spread of metalworking knowledge and the evolution of social hierarchies and settlement patterns.

In conclusion, the Chalcolithic Remedello Culture of northern Italy represents a key period in prehistoric Europe, where innovations in agriculture, metallurgy, and social organization laid the groundwork for future cultural evolutions. Its study offers valuable insights into the dynamics of early European societies and their adaptation to changing environmental and technological conditions.

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RISE479 2000 BCE Erd 4, Hungary View
RISE480 1700 BCE Erd 4, Hungary View
RISE483 2000 BCE Erd 4, Hungary View
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RISE487 3485 BCE Lombardy. Remedello di Sotto, Italy View
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Sample ID Culture/Period Date Location Action
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
Ancient Genetic Admixture

Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (RISE487) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles ancient populations from different geographic regions.

Neolithic Farmers 62%
European Hunter-Gatherers 22%
Western Steppe Pastoralists 11%
Ancient Asians 4%
Modern Genetic Admixture

Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (RISE487) 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 96%
Southern European 96%
Iberian 47.8%
Italian 24.9%
Sardinian 22.1%
Balkan 1.3%
Africa 3%
North African 3%
North African 2.7%
Oceania 1%
Melanesian 1%
Papuan 0.9%
Asia 0%
Northern West Asian 0%
Chinese & Southeast Asian 0%
G25 Coordinates

The G25 coordinates for the sample RISE487 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.

RISE487,0.1199044,0.1613786,0.0249153,-0.04212652,0.0579863,-0.0211135,-0.00222326,0.00565406,0.03922106,0.07059052,-0.00409066,0.0148526,-0.02646648,-0.01449988,-0.0104814,0.00473666,0.0126666,-0.00020436,-0.0005393,-0.00398412,-0.00014142,0.00448046,-0.012277,-0.01938084,0.00434329
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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