Ancient Individual

A man buried in Germany in the Early Bronze Age era

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A man buried in Germany during the Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany

A fragment of the ancient world, preserved across millennia in strands of DNA.

LEU012

2200 BCE - 1700 BCE

Male

Germany

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Chapter I

Identity

The biological and cultural markers that define this ancient individual

Sample ID

LEU012

Date Range

2200 BCE - 1700 BCE

Cultural Period

Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany

Biological Sex

Male

mtDNA Haplogroup

I4a

Y-DNA Haplogroup

L2/S139

Chapter II

Place

Where this individual was discovered

Country Germany

Locality Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis)

Coordinates 51.1903, 11.1697

Chapter III

Time

When this individual lived in the broader context of human history

LEU012 2200 BCE - 1700 BCE

Chapter IV

Story

The narrative of this ancient life

The Early Bronze Age Únětice culture, which flourished in what is now modern-day Germany (as well as in parts of the Czech Republic, Poland, and Austria) from approximately 2300 to 1600 BCE, represents a significant period within the broader context of the European Bronze Age. This culture is named after the village of Únětice, near Prague, where key archaeological discoveries were made.

Geographical Spread and Influence

The Únětice culture covered a substantial area of Central Europe, predominantly within the regions of Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Austria. In Germany, it particularly influenced areas such as Saxony, Thuringia, and Bavaria. Its spread across these regions suggests a well-connected network of trade and cultural exchange.

Social Structure and Organization

Únětice society is believed to have been relatively hierarchical, indicated by the varying wealth and goods found in burial sites. The emergence of social stratification is evident from the prominent burial mounds, or tumuli, that framed the landscape. Some individuals, presumably of higher status, were interred with valuable grave goods, which included metalwork and exotic items.

Metallurgy and Technological Advances

One of the defining features of the Únětice culture was its advancements in metallurgy. This period marked a transition from the use of native copper to the alloying of bronze, a harder and more versatile material. The culture is known for producing various metal objects, such as weapons (including daggers and axes), tools, and personal ornaments (such as pins and bracelets).

Únětice metalwork often features intricate designs and demonstrates high levels of craftsmanship. The development and widespread use of bronze played a crucial role in the culture's economic and social systems, facilitating trade and elevating the status of craft specialists within society.

Burial Practices

Burial customs provide significant insights into the Únětice culture. The typical burial was inhumation, with bodies often placed in a flexed position. Notably, burial sites frequently included grave goods, which ranged from pottery and jewelry to weapons. The richness and variety of these goods have led archaeologists to deduce the presence of a class-based society.

Some prominent burial sites, like those found at Leubingen and Helmsdorf in Germany, contain extensive remains and rich grave goods, indicating the importance of certain individuals and possibly their status as leaders or elites within the society.

Economy and Trade

The Únětice culture was part of a broader network of trade routes that extended across Europe. The distribution of Únětice artifacts, especially metalwork, suggests commercial exchanges not only within its geographical boundaries but also with distant regions. The exchange network likely included raw materials such as tin and copper, critical for bronze production.

Agriculture was also a vital component of the Únětice economy, with evidence of crop cultivation and animal husbandry. Settlements were typically situated in fertile areas conducive to farming, reflecting a semi-sedentary way of life.

Art and Symbolism

While the Únětice culture did not leave behind a wealth of artistic expressions in the form of visual art, the design and symbolism in metalwork and pottery suggest a complex cultural identity. Patterns and motifs found on various objects may hold symbolic meanings or denote cultural affiliations.

Decline and Legacy

By around 1600 BCE, the Únětice culture began to decline, paving the way for other regional cultures. However, its influence persisted, laying the foundations for subsequent cultures in Central Europe. Its advancements in metallurgy and establishment of trade networks were particularly consequential for the development of later European societies.

In summary, the Early Bronze Age Únětice culture in Germany represents a period of significant social, technological, and economic transformation. Its contributions to metallurgy, complex social structures, and expansive trade networks highlight its role as a pivotal cultural force in the European Bronze Age narrative.

Context

Related Samples

This individual exists within a broader network of ancient samples. No ancient genome stands alone.

Sample ID	Culture/Period	Date	Location	Action
LEU007	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	1919 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU017	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU018	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU021	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU023	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2192 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU024	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU025	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU02651	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU026	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU027	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2008 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU029	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU008	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU030	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU031	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2136 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU032	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU033	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU034	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU035	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU036	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2196 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU037	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU038	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2197 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU039	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-2 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU009	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU040	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU041	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2198 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU044	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-2 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU046	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU050	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2201 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU051	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU052	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU053	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2134 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU055	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU056	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU010	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2188 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU057	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2141 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU058	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2199 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU059	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2024 BCE	Leubingen-2 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU060	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2027 BCE	Leubingen-2 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU061	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-2 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU063	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU064	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2141 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU065	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2191 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU011	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2140 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU012	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU013	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2278 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU014	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2201 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU015	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2141 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU016	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2191 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View

Sample ID	Culture/Period	Date	Location	Action
I0115	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	1959 BCE	Esperstedt, Germany	View
I0117	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2276 BCE	Esperstedt, Germany	View
I0804	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2139 BCE	Eulau, Germany	View
I0803	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2135 BCE	Eulau, Germany	View
I0164	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2027 BCE	Quedlinburg Site VIII, Germany	View
I0114	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2141 BCE	Esperstedt, Germany	View
I0116	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2137 BCE	Esperstedt, Germany	View
I0047	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2116 BCE	Halberstadt-Sonntagsfeld, Germany	View
LEU007	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	1919 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU017	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU018	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU021	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU023	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2192 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU024	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU025	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU02651	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU026	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU027	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2008 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU029	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU008	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU030	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU031	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2136 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU032	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU033	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU034	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU035	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU036	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2196 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU037	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU038	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2197 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU039	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-2 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU009	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU040	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU041	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2198 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU044	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-2 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU046	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU050	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2201 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU051	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU052	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU053	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2134 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU055	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU056	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU010	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2188 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU057	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2141 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU058	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2199 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU059	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2024 BCE	Leubingen-2 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU060	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2027 BCE	Leubingen-2 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU061	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-2 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU063	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU064	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2141 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU065	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2191 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU011	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2140 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU012	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2200 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU013	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2278 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU014	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2201 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU015	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2141 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View
LEU016	Early Bronze Age Unetice Culture, Germany	2191 BCE	Leubingen-1 (Thüringen, Kyffhäuserkreis), Germany	View

Sources

References

Scientific publications and genetic data that inform this profile.

Scientific Publication

Kinship practices at the early bronze age site of Leubingen in Central Germany

Authors Penske S, Küßner M, Rohrlach AB, Knipper C, Nováček J et al.

Abstract

With the beginning of the Early Bronze Age in Central Europe ~ 2200 BC, a regional and supra-regional hierarchical social organization emerged with few individuals in positions of power (chiefs), set apart by rich graves with extensive burial constructions. However, the social organization and stratification within the majority of people, who represent the non-elite, remain unclear. Here, we present genome-wide data of 46 individuals from the Early Bronze Age burial ground of Leubingen in today's Germany, integrating archaeological, genetic and strontium isotope data to gain new insights into Early Bronze Age societies. We were able to reconstruct five pedigrees which constitute the members of close biological kinship groups (parents and their offspring), and also identify individuals who are not related to individuals buried at the site. Based on combined lines of evidence, we observe that the kinship structure of the burial community was predominantly patrilineal/virilocal involving female exogamy. Further, we detect a difference in the amount of grave goods among the individuals buried at Leubingen based on genetic sex, age at death and locality but see no difference in the types of grave goods.

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