A woman buried in Germany in the Late Neolithic era

I0118
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:
I0118
Date:
2469 BCE - 2238 BCE
Biological Sex:
Female
mtDNA:
HV
Y-DNA:
Not applicable
Cultural Period:
Late Neolithic Alberstedt, Germany
Location
Country:
Germany
Locality:
Alberstedt
Coordinates:
51.4500, 11.6300
Map Location
Historical Timeline
Description

The Late Neolithic period in Alberstedt, Germany, is part of the broader European Neolithic era, which marked a time of significant transformation in human societies across Europe. This period, which occurred approximately between 3000 and 2000 BCE, was characterized by the development of agriculture, advancements in tool-making, and early societal organization. Let’s explore the different aspects that define the Alberstedt region during this crucial period.

Geographic and Environmental Context

Alberstedt is located in the region of modern-day Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. This area is characterized by fertile loess soils, which provided an ideal environment for Neolithic farmers to practice agriculture. The region’s temperate climate with distinct seasons allowed for the cultivation of a variety of crops and supplemented by natural resources such as forests, rivers, and wildlife, offering a balanced diet and materials for tools and construction.

Subsistence and Economy

The economy of Late Neolithic Alberstedt was primarily agrarian. Archaeological evidence indicates that the inhabitants practiced mixed farming, which included the cultivation of cereals such as wheat and barley, and the domestication of animals like cattle, sheep, and pigs. The agricultural surplus eventually led to the development of trade networks with neighboring communities, which facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies.

In addition to agriculture, the community relied on hunting, fishing, and gathering to supplement their diet. Access to nearby water bodies provided fish and other aquatic resources, while forests offered game and gatherable plants and nuts.

Settlements and Architecture

Settlements during the Late Neolithic in Alberstedt consisted of small, semi-permanent villages. The architecture predominantly comprised longhouses built using timber and wattle-and-daub techniques. These structures were not only homes but also served as communal spaces for activities like storage, craft production, and social gatherings.

Villages were typically strategically located near water sources and fertile land to ensure easy access to resources. As populations grew, these settlements became more complex, possibly leading to the formation of proto-urban centers.

Social Structure and Culture

Social organization in Late Neolithic societies was starting to become more complex, with evidence pointing towards emerging hierarchies. The division of labor likely existed, with specific roles such as farmers, hunters, toolmakers, and possibly religious or spiritual leaders.

Cultural practices included ceremonies and rituals, which were often linked to the agricultural calendar. Artefacts such as pottery, tools, and figurines suggest a developed material culture. Pottery styles, in particular, provide insight into the cultural and trade connections with other Neolithic groups across Europe.

Technology and Craft

Technological advancements during this period were significant. The people of Alberstedt were skilled in flintknapping, producing a range of tools for farming, hunting, and domestic purposes. The development of polished stone tools, such as axes and sickles, facilitated more efficient agricultural and forestry activities.

In pottery, the Late Neolithic period saw the emergence of more sophisticated techniques and designs. Pottery from Alberstedt featured both functional and decorative elements, indicative of the cultural identity and artistic expression of the people.

Spiritual and Religious Beliefs

While specific beliefs are hard to reconstruct fully, the presence of burial sites and ritual objects suggests that the Alberstedt community had a rich spiritual life. Grave goods and the orientation of graves indicate beliefs in an afterlife or ancestral veneration. Megalithic structures found in the region imply communal and possibly religious activities, reflecting a complex belief system tied to natural cycles and possibly celestial observations.

Conclusion

The Late Neolithic period in Alberstedt, Germany, represents a dynamic and transformative era. It is marked by the beginnings of organized agriculture, settlement, and societal structures, laying the groundwork for future developments in European prehistory. Archaeological findings from this region provide valuable insights into the daily lives, social fabric, and cultural practices of its inhabitants, offering a glimpse into the evolutionary path from nomadic to semi-permanent settlement lifestyles.

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Sample ID Culture/Period Date Location Action
I0118 Late Neolithic Alberstedt, Germany 2469 BCE Alberstedt, Germany View
Ancient Genetic Admixture

Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (I0118) 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 45%
European Hunter-Gatherers 28%
Neolithic Farmers 25%
Ancient Asians 2%
Modern Genetic Admixture

Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (I0118) 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 92%
Northwestern European 56%
English 35.7%
Northwestern European 10.9%
Scandinavian 8.7%
Finnish 0.9%
Southern European 25%
Iberian 14.6%
Balkan 9.1%
Sardinian 1.8%
Eastern European 11%
Eastern European 10.6%
Asia 7%
Northern West Asian 6%
Caucasian 6.2%
Central Asian, Northern Indian & Pakistani 1%
Pakistan 0.8%
Africa 1%
West African 0%
Northern East African 0%
America 0%
America 0%
G25 Coordinates

The G25 coordinates for the sample I0118 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.

I0118,0.12471942,0.12391042,0.05404184,0.0446995,0.0326892,0.01704002,0.00568034,0.00260242,0.00172192,-0.00335882,-0.00456382,0.00308026,-0.00861328,-0.00583004,0.01667162,-0.00457076,-0.0123797,0.00105732,0.0021595,0.00266894,0.00209106,0.00096428,-0.00157658,0.00978828,-0.00249352
Analyze it in G25 Studio
Scientific Papers References
Genome-wide patterns of selection in 230 ancient Eurasians
Authors:
Mathieson I, Lazaridis I, Rohland N
Abstract:

Ancient DNA makes it possible to observe natural selection directly by analysing samples from populations before, during and after adaptation events. Here we report a genome-wide scan for selection using ancient DNA, capitalizing on the largest ancient DNA data set yet assembled: 230 West Eurasians who lived between 6500 and 300 bc, including 163 with newly reported data. The new samples include, to our knowledge, the first genome-wide ancient DNA from Anatolian Neolithic farmers, whose genetic material we obtained by extracting from petrous bones, and who we show were members of the population that was the source of Europe's first farmers. We also report a transect of the steppe region in Samara between 5600 and 300 bc, which allows us to identify admixture into the steppe from at least two external sources. We detect selection at loci associated with diet, pigmentation and immunity, and two independent episodes of selection on height.

Link:
View Publication
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