A woman buried in Russia in the Bronze Age era

RISE500
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:
RISE500
Date:
1700 BCE - 1500 BCE
Biological Sex:
Female
mtDNA:
U4d1
Y-DNA:
Not applicable
Cultural Period:
Andronovo Culture, Russia
Location
Country:
Russia
Locality:
Kytmanovo
Coordinates:
53.4560, 85.4470
Map Location
Historical Timeline
Description

The Andronovo culture, primarily recognized for its significant contribution to the development of Indo-European groups, was a complex of archaeological cultures that thrived in the steppes of Central Asia and the southern parts of Siberia from approximately 2000 to 900 BCE. It spans a geographical region that includes parts of modern-day Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. This culture is often associated with the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European language family, considered to be the forebears of later Iranian and Indian groups.

Geographical and Chronological Context

The Andronovo culture is named after the village of Andronovo in the Minusinsk Basin of Siberia, where the first significant archaeological evidence was uncovered in the early 20th century. The culture extended across the vast steppe regions, which provided rich pastures for the pastoral lifestyle that characterized the Andronovo way of life. Chronologically, it fits into the Bronze Age and showcases a high level of metallurgical development.

Settlement Patterns

Andronovo settlements were typically compact and fortified, often located near water sources such as rivers or lakes. They consisted mostly of semi-subterranean or rectangular surface houses built with timber and mud-brick. Settlement sizes varied, indicating a range of small hamlets to larger fortified communities. The presence of larger settlements suggests a degree of social organization and possibly hierarchical leadership structures.

Economy and Subsistence

The economy of the Andronovo culture was primarily based on agro-pastoralism. The Andronovo people were skilled in animal husbandry, primarily raising cattle, sheep, and horses. This is evidenced by the remains of corrals and abundance of animal bones found at habitation sites. Agricultural activities, though of secondary importance, included the cultivation of wheat, barley, and millet. The proficiency in metallurgy is also a notable feature, with evidence of bronze tools, weapons, and ornaments showcasing their advanced skills in metalwork.

Burial Practices

Burial practices are a prominent aspect of Andronovo archaeology, providing rich insights into their social structures and beliefs. The dead were typically buried in kurgans, which are mound-like structures, with the bodies placed in stone cists or simple pit graves. These burials often include grave goods, such as pottery, weapons, and ornaments, indicating the belief in an afterlife and the importance of social status. Occasional evidence of chariot burials suggests the significance of horse-driven vehicles, which may have played a part in warfare and ritual.

Cultural and Artistic Aspects

The Andronovo culture is distinguished by its pottery, which is typically hand-made and decorated with geometric patterns and cord impressions. These patterns reflect a shared aesthetic and perhaps symbolic language across the Andronovo tribes. Artistic expressions can also be seen in metallurgy, particularly in the crafting of intricately designed bronze ornaments and tools.

Linguistic and Ethnic Identity

The Andronovo culture is often linked with the early Indo-Iranian languages based on linguistic, genetic, and archaeological evidence. This connection is crucial for understanding the migrations and expansions of Indo-Iranian groups across the Eurasian steppes. Despite the vast territory they occupied, the linguistic unity is suggested by the spread of Indo-Iranian languages and shared features in material culture.

Interaction and Influence

The Andronovo culture interacted with neighboring cultures, such as the Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex (BMAC) to the south, exchanging goods and cultural influences. These interactions may have facilitated the spread of Indo-Iranian languages and contributed to the cultural syncretism observed in subsequent regional cultures.

Decline and Legacy

By the end of the 2nd millennium BCE, the Andronovo culture began to fragment, giving way to successor cultures such as the Srubna and Karasuk cultures. The cultural and technological innovations of the Andronovo people, particularly in metallurgy and pastoralism, left a lasting legacy in the Eurasian steppes. They are considered a crucial part of the prehistory of Central Asia and play a significant role in understanding the Indo-European expansions.

In modern historical and archaeological discourse, the Andronovo culture is pivotal for comprehending the complex web of cultural, linguistic, and genetic exchanges among ancient Eurasian populations. It serves as a foundational framework for the ongoing study of the prehistoric Indo-European communities that shaped the historical trajectories of Europe, Asia, and beyond.

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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
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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
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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
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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
RISE505 Andronovo Culture, Russia 1862 BCE Kytmanovo, Russia View
RISE500 Andronovo Culture, Russia 1700 BCE Kytmanovo, Russia View
RISE503 Andronovo Culture, Russia 1731 BCE Kytmanovo, Russia View
RISE512 Andronovo Culture, Russia 1488 BCE Kytmanovo, Russia View
Ancient Genetic Admixture

Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (RISE500) 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 50%
European Hunter-Gatherers 36%
Neolithic Farmers 9%
Ancient Asians 5%
Modern Genetic Admixture

Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (RISE500) 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 77%
Northwestern European 48%
Scandinavian 20.9%
English 18.6%
Finnish 4.6%
Northwestern European 3.9%
Eastern European 25%
Eastern European 24.7%
Southern European 4%
Italian 4.1%
Asia 21%
Northern West Asian 15%
Caucasian 14.7%
Central Asian, Northern Indian & Pakistani 7%
Pakistan 6.7%
America 2%
America 2%
Native American 1.8%
G25 Coordinates

The G25 coordinates for the sample RISE500 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.

RISE500,0.12658368,0.09440136,0.04640896,0.05406426,0.01376644,0.01500098,0.01060542,0.01016066,-0.00861006,-0.01853758,-0.00656634,-0.00245362,0.00219174,0.00043032,0.00296126,-0.00501168,-0.00896062,0.00240276,-0.0032705,0.0007834,-0.00384228,0.00385516,0.00077292,0.00750372,-0.00452263
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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