A woman buried in Montenegro in the Late Bronze Age era

RISE595
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:
RISE595
Date:
1200 BCE - 800 BCE
Biological Sex:
Female
mtDNA:
U5a2
Y-DNA:
Not applicable
Cultural Period:
Late Bronze Age Montenegro
Location
Country:
Montenegro
Locality:
Velika Gruda
Coordinates:
42.3820, 18.7400
Map Location
Historical Timeline
Description

The Late Bronze Age in the Balkans, particularly in the region known today as Montenegro, was a period marked by significant cultural and social developments. This era, roughly spanning from 1600 to 1100 BCE, saw the emergence and consolidation of the Illyrian tribes, who, according to ancient historical sources, dominated much of the western Balkans. The Late Bronze Age in this area was a time of transition that paved the way for the subsequent Iron Age cultures.

Geography and Settlement

Montenegro's rugged terrain, characterized by its coastal areas, mountainous regions, and river valleys, influenced the settlement patterns of the Illyrians. During the Late Bronze Age, communities were commonly found in easily defensible positions such as hilltops and ridges, indicative of the need for defense and surveillance against rival tribes. These sites, known as hillforts or \gradine," were strategically located and became the nuclei of future urban centers. Coastal settlements also flourished due to trade and interaction with other Mediterranean cultures.

Economy and Trade

The Late Bronze Age economy in what is now Montenegro was primarily based on agriculture, animal husbandry, and fishing. The Illyrians cultivated cereals like wheat and barley and raised livestock, including cattle, sheep, and goats, which were essential for both sustenance and trade.

Trade networks during this period expanded significantly, facilitated by the Adriatic Sea's accessibility. This region likely served as a crucial link between Central Europe and the Mediterranean, allowing for the exchange of goods such as amber, metals, pottery, and later, luxury items like textiles. These interactions introduced new technologies and ideas, enhancing local craftsmanship.

Metallurgy and Craftsmanship

The Late Bronze Age in Montenegro saw advancements in metallurgy, a hallmark of the broader Bronze Age characterized by the widespread use of bronze. The Illyrians were known for their skilled metalwork, producing weapons, tools, and ornaments. Archaeological finds have uncovered bronze swords, spears, and axes, reflecting both functional and ceremonial uses.

Pottery production also flourished, with the Illyrians creating distinct ceramic styles that have been identified in excavations. These ceramic forms and decorations provide critical insights into the cultural identity and aesthetics of the Illyrian tribes.

Social Structure and Culture

The social structure of Late Bronze Age Illyrian society in Montenegro was likely hierarchical and tribal. Chieftains or tribal leaders wielded significant power, and society may have been organized around extended family units or clans. Burial practices, which often involved tumuli or large burial mounds, suggest a society that placed importance on lineage and status.

The Illyrian tribes shared linguistic and cultural similarities with other groups in the western Balkans, contributing to a collective identity that persisted into the Roman period. While written records from this era are scarce, later historical sources provide some insight into their language and customs.

Religion and Beliefs

The spiritual life of the Illyrians in the Late Bronze Age remains obscure, but it likely involved animistic and polytheistic beliefs centered around nature worship. Archaeological evidence points to rituals and offerings made in natural settings like caves, mountains, and bodies of water, which were considered sacred spaces.

Legacy and Conclusion

The Late Bronze Age laid the groundwork for the development of Illyrian culture in the central and western Balkans. The advances in metallurgy, trade, and societal organization during this period set the stage for the dynamic changes that would follow in the Iron Age. Understanding this era is crucial for reconstructing the early history of the Balkans and the cultural evolution of the Illyrian tribes, who played a vital role in shaping the region's identity long before the advent of written history."

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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
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
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RISE502 1497 BCE Bystrovka, Russia View
RISE503 1731 BCE Kytmanovo, Russia View
RISE504 709 CE Kytmanovo, Russia View
RISE505 1862 BCE Kytmanovo, Russia View
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RISE596 Montenegrin Iron Age 800 BCE Velika Gruda, Montenegro View
Sample ID Culture/Period Date Location Action
RISE595 Late Bronze Age Montenegro 1200 BCE Velika Gruda, Montenegro View
Ancient Genetic Admixture

Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (RISE595) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles ancient populations from different geographic regions.

European Hunter-Gatherers 41%
Western Steppe Pastoralists 30%
Neolithic Farmers 29%
Modern Genetic Admixture

Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (RISE595) 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 58%
Southern European 45%
Italian 26.3%
Iberian 18.9%
Northwestern European 11%
English 5.9%
Northwestern European 5.3%
Eastern European 2%
Eastern European 1.8%
Asia 23%
Northern West Asian 21%
Cypriot 21.2%
Central Asian, Northern Indian & Pakistani 2%
Pakistan 2.0%
Africa 18%
North African 18%
Egyptian 10.3%
North African 7.4%
Northern East African 1%
Ethiopian 0.6%
America 0%
America 0%
G25 Coordinates

The G25 coordinates for the sample RISE595 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.

RISE595,0.10851214,0.13958038,0.03982002,0.00411996,0.04294188,0.0016503,0.00443834,0.0074748,0.01892352,0.0209999,-0.00630636,0.0055169,-0.00875726,0.00397892,-0.00618206,0.00156168,0.00589484,6.67E-05,0.00189098,0.0004054,0.00069934,0.00178474,-0.00228812,-0.01095944,0.00117618
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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