A woman buried in Czechia in the Medieval era

RISE569
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:
RISE569
Date:
660 CE - 774 CE
Biological Sex:
Female
mtDNA:
H1af
Y-DNA:
Not applicable
Cultural Period:
Early Slavic Culture of Bohemia
Location
Country:
Czechia
Locality:
Brandýsek (Central Bohemian Region, Kladno District)
Coordinates:
50.1900, 14.1580
Map Location
Historical Timeline
Description

The Early Slavic culture of Bohemia, part of the broader Slavic cultural and historical landscape, is an intriguing subject that provides insight into the development of medieval Central Europe. This era, generally spanning from the 6th to the 10th centuries, marks a crucial phase in the Slavic settlement and cultural evolution in the region known today as the Czech Republic.

Historical Context

During the early medieval period, the region of Bohemia saw significant changes, especially following the decline of the Roman Empire. The migration period, sometimes referred to as the \Völkerwanderung," saw various tribes moving across Europe, partially prompted by the Huns’ expansion. The Early Slavs are believed to have migrated into Central Europe during the 6th century, filling the vacuum left by other migrating peoples, such as the Germanic tribes.

Settlement and Social Structure

Upon their arrival, the Early Slavs established small, decentralized communities primarily composed of agrarian settlements. These settlements were typically located along fertile river valleys and areas that provided natural defenses. The social structure was relatively simple, characterized by extended family groups that formed the basic unit of society. Leadership was likely vested in chieftains or tribal leaders, who held both military and religious roles within the community.

Economy and Daily Life

Agriculture was the backbone of the Early Slavic economy in Bohemia. The Slavs cultivated various crops, including wheat, barley, rye, and millet, utilizing techniques such as slash-and-burn agriculture. Livestock, including cattle, pigs, and sheep, played a crucial role in their diet and economy. Colonization of these lands also led to the development of trade networks, facilitating the exchange of goods such as furs, amber, and iron tools.

Craftsmanship was advanced for the period, with skilled artisans producing pottery, textiles, and simple metalwork. Pottery was often hand-made and decorated with intricate geometric patterns.

Religion and Spirituality

Initially, the Slavs practiced a form of paganism characterized by a polytheistic belief system. Their pantheon included gods associated with natural elements and phenomena, such as Perun (the god of thunder) and Veles (a god associated with cattle and commerce). Important religious practices included worship at sacred groves, rivers, and other natural sites, with rituals often presided over by priests or shamans.

By the 9th century, Christianity began to spread into Bohemia, significantly transforming and integrating with the existing spiritual practices. The mission of Saints Cyril and Methodius, sent by the Byzantine Empire, played a crucial role in the Christianization of the region and the development of the Slavic liturgy.

Political Developments

The political landscape of Early Slavic Bohemia saw the rise of various tribes and eventually the formation of principled states. By the late 9th century, the Přemyslid dynasty began to consolidate power, establishing the foundations for the future Kingdom of Bohemia. The interactions between these emerging political entities and neighboring powers like the Frankish Empire and the Greater Moravian Empire significantly shaped the region’s political evolution.

Cultural and Artistic Contributions

Early Slavic culture in Bohemia contributed significantly to the development of a distinct Slavic identity, with influences evident in language, art, and architecture. While much of the early art was utilitarian, consisting of decorated pottery and crafted tools, it laid the groundwork for more elaborate styles in later centuries. The introduction of the Glagolitic alphabet by Cyril and Methodius also played a crucial part in developing a written Slavic culture.

Conclusion

The Early Slavic culture of Bohemia represents a formative period in Central European history. The synthesis of indigenous traditions with new influences from Christianity and neighboring cultures set the stage for the sophisticated medieval culture that would develop in the region. Understanding this era provides essential insights into the cultural and historical roots of modern-day Czech society and its place within the broader tapestry of European history."

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RISE480 1700 BCE Erd 4, Hungary View
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RISE577 Early Bronze Age Únětice Culture 2500 BCE Velké-Přílepy (Středočeský kraj, okres Praha-západ), Czechia View
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Sample ID Culture/Period Date Location Action
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
Ancient Genetic Admixture

Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (RISE569) 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 40%
European Hunter-Gatherers 38%
Neolithic Farmers 18%
Ancient Asians 4%
Modern Genetic Admixture

Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (RISE569) 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 99%
Northwestern European 39%
Northwestern European 12.4%
Scandinavian 12.3%
English 11.2%
Finnish 2.9%
Southern European 37%
Balkan 20.9%
Italian 14.7%
Sardinian 1.1%
Eastern European 24%
Eastern European 23.7%
Asia 1%
Northern West Asian 1%
Cypriot 0.7%
G25 Coordinates

The G25 coordinates for the sample RISE569 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.

RISE569,0.11639622,0.04059458,0.0687569,0.04339988,0.00370166,0.0016966,0.00449972,0.00910906,0.0013235,-0.00903008,0.01381492,-0.00368946,0.00769268,-0.01812888,-0.00943862,-0.000435,0.00095596,0.00164824,0.00370372,0.00037032,-0.00521366,0.01074618,0.01313888,-0.00245696,-0.00567216
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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