A woman buried in Czechia in the Chalcolithic era

RISE567
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:
RISE567
Date:
2800 BCE - 1800 BCE
Biological Sex:
Female
mtDNA:
U5b2c
Y-DNA:
Not applicable
Cultural Period:
Bell Beaker culture
Location
Country:
Czechia
Locality:
Kněževes (Středočeský kraj, okres Praha-západ)
Coordinates:
50.1193, 14.2671
Map Location
Historical Timeline
Description

The Bell Beaker culture, thriving approximately between 2800 and 1800 BCE, represents a significant prehistoric European cultural phenomenon. It is named after its distinctive pottery, characterized by bell-shaped vessels with geometric decorations. This culture spanned across several regions in Europe, from the Iberian Peninsula through Central Europe and beyond, influencing and interacting with local cultures and societies throughout its expansive reach. Understanding the Bell Beaker culture involves examining its archaeological evidence, such as pottery, burial practices, metallurgy, societal structures, and its complex network facilitated by trade and mobility.

Pottery and Artifacts

The defining artifact of this culture is the bell beaker pottery, recognizable for its inverted-bell shape and intricate decoration featuring horizontal bands of geometric patterns. This pottery style suggests a shared aesthetic or symbolic system and is used by archaeologists to identify the spread of the culture across various regions. Bell Beaker pottery was often associated with burial sites, but was also found in domestic contexts, suggesting both ritual and everyday use.

Metallurgy and Technology

The Bell Beaker culture marks a pivotal period in the advancement of metallurgy, primarily concerning copper and gold. There was widespread use and development of metal crafting techniques during this time. The presence of copper tools and weapons, such as daggers, arrowheads, and axes, illustrates a society with burgeoning technological prowess. Their metalwork influence suggests that the culture possessed knowledge of mining, metal extraction, and smithing, which they may have shared through extensive trade networks.

Burial Practices

Burial customs of the Bell Beaker people varied regionally, but they often involved individual inhumations accompanied by a selection of grave goods, including bell beaker pottery, weapons, ornaments, and occasionally amber or stone items. These burial sites range from simple pits to elaborate barrows or mounds, reflecting a possibly hierarchical society. Isotope analysis of human remains indicates varied diets and mobility, pointing to complex social organization with possible differences in status and wealth.

Society and Social Structure

While the exact social structure of the Bell Beaker culture is still debated, the presence of rich grave goods suggests some level of social stratification. The mobility suggested by isotope studies and the wide distribution of their artifacts imply a society with networks of migration and trade. These networks facilitated not only the exchange of goods but also ideas and cultural practices, leading to a syncretic society blending local traditions with Bell Beaker influences.

Geographic Spread and Influence

The Bell Beaker culture is notable for its extensive geographic spread across Europe. Its influence is seen from the Iberian Peninsula to as far north as the British Isles and as far east as Central Europe, including parts of what is today Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. The reasons for this widespread dissemination include migration, trade, and cultural exchange. The Bell Beaker culture often coexisted with and influenced local Neolithic societies, leading to the adoption and adaptation of its traits into various regional contexts.

Interaction with Other Cultures

The emergence and spread of the Bell Beaker culture coincided with a time of significant change in prehistoric Europe. The Bell Beaker people interacted with and, at times, blended into pre-existing cultures, an example being the interaction with the Corded Ware culture in Europe. This interchange resulted in a cross-cultural amalgamation of artifacts, burial practices, and technologies. Despite the overlay of Bell Beaker characteristics, regional diversity remained pronounced, showcasing a complex tapestry of cultural evolution during this era.

Legacy and Importance

The Bell Beaker culture is pivotal in understanding the prehistoric European transition from the Late Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age. Through its advanced technology, distinct art, and widespread influence, it played a critical role in shaping the sociocultural landscape of Europe. Contemporary research continues to uncover the extent and nature of its impact, utilizing advanced techniques such as DNA and isotope analysis to further elucidate the connections between past European populations.

In summary, the Bell Beaker culture represents a fascinating mosaic of innovation, mobility, and interaction within prehistoric Europe, marking a transformative era in the continent's ancient history. Its widespread influence and distinctive artifacts make it a key focus for archaeologists and historians seeking to understand the dynamics of prehistoric cultures.

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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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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
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
Ancient Genetic Admixture

Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (RISE567) 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 25%
Neolithic Farmers 10%
Ancient Asians 9%
Ancient Africans 8%
Modern Genetic Admixture

Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (RISE567) 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 78%
Northwestern European 48%
Northwestern European 25.2%
Scandinavian 22.7%
Eastern European 30%
Eastern European 30.4%
Asia 19%
Northern West Asian 19%
Mesopotamian 12.8%
Cypriot 5.8%
Africa 3%
North African 3%
North African 1.9%
Egyptian 1.1%
African Hunter-Gatherer 0%
G25 Coordinates

The G25 coordinates for the sample RISE567 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.

RISE567,0.12928056,0.10909074,0.07567706,0.0619008,0.03635416,0.0224644,0.01250812,0.01098082,-0.00358826,-0.0261498,-0.00168738,-0.00828826,0.01154636,0.02220662,-0.010045,-0.01295998,-0.00947576,0.00198908,-0.00348764,-0.00128476,-0.00328684,-0.00122298,0.00571796,4.508E-05,-0.00196201
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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