Long-distance genetic relatedness in megalithic central Europe.
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| Title: | Long-distance genetic relatedness in megalithic central Europe. |
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| Authors: | da Silva, Nicolas Antonio (AUTHOR), Nebel, Almut (AUTHOR), Kolbe, Daniel (AUTHOR), Myburgh, Daniel Anton (AUTHOR), Klimscha, Florian (AUTHOR), Görner, Irina (AUTHOR), Fuchs, Katharina (AUTHOR), Meyer, Christian (AUTHOR), Schierhold, Kerstin (AUTHOR), Rind, Michael (AUTHOR), Hoffmann, Robert (AUTHOR), Franke, Andre (AUTHOR), Meadows, John (AUTHOR), Rinne, Christoph (AUTHOR), Müller, Johannes (AUTHOR), Krause-Kyora, Ben (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Science. 5/21/2026, Vol. 392 Issue 6800, p839-844. 6p. |
| Subjects: | Kinship, Culture diffusion, Neolithic Period, Megalithic monuments, Fossil DNA, Archaeological cultures |
| Geographic Terms: | Europe |
| Abstract: | Megalithic monuments in Late Neolithic Europe are often viewed as symbols of shared ancestry. In this study, we analyzed genome-wide data of 203 individuals buried in six megalithic grave complexes associated with the Western Funnel Beaker and Wartberg groups. Despite being considered archaeologically distinct, our results show that the studied individuals from both groups form a genetically homogeneous population. Moreover, we identified first- and second-degree relationships spanning up to 225 km, revealing unexpectedly long-distance ties and sustained intersite and intergroup mobility. The six grave complexes functioned as communal burial grounds and were not exclusively used for close genetic relatives, indicating that social kinship played an important role. Limited evidence for genetic connections to distant European megalithic populations indicates that monumentality spread culturally rather than through biological networks. Editor's summary: One of the longstanding questions in human history is the degree to which culture has spread through the migration of people versus the spreading of ideas. da Silva et al. analyzed ancient DNA from 203 individuals from six European sites who fell into two culture groups: the Western Funnel Beaker and the Wartberg. They found that the Western Funnel Beaker individuals were more closely related to Wartberg than to other Funnel Beaker groups, including a biological parent and child found at two sites about 140 miles apart. These sites show similar dynamics to other megalithic societies of the time and demonstrate an instance where burial and other cultural practices remained distinct despite the exchange of people. —Corinne Simonti [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Megalithic monuments in Late Neolithic Europe are often viewed as symbols of shared ancestry. In this study, we analyzed genome-wide data of 203 individuals buried in six megalithic grave complexes associated with the Western Funnel Beaker and Wartberg groups. Despite being considered archaeologically distinct, our results show that the studied individuals from both groups form a genetically homogeneous population. Moreover, we identified first- and second-degree relationships spanning up to 225 km, revealing unexpectedly long-distance ties and sustained intersite and intergroup mobility. The six grave complexes functioned as communal burial grounds and were not exclusively used for close genetic relatives, indicating that social kinship played an important role. Limited evidence for genetic connections to distant European megalithic populations indicates that monumentality spread culturally rather than through biological networks. Editor's summary: One of the longstanding questions in human history is the degree to which culture has spread through the migration of people versus the spreading of ideas. da Silva et al. analyzed ancient DNA from 203 individuals from six European sites who fell into two culture groups: the Western Funnel Beaker and the Wartberg. They found that the Western Funnel Beaker individuals were more closely related to Wartberg than to other Funnel Beaker groups, including a biological parent and child found at two sites about 140 miles apart. These sites show similar dynamics to other megalithic societies of the time and demonstrate an instance where burial and other cultural practices remained distinct despite the exchange of people. —Corinne Simonti [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 00368075 |
| DOI: | 10.1126/science.aeb2926 |
