Papers Pre-European Leprosy in the Americas Archaeological and Genetic Exploration of Pre-European Leprosy in the Americas Archaeological and Genetic Exploration of Pre-European Leprosy in the Americas The Fascinating Discovery of Ancient Leprosy in the Americas The recent study by Lopopolo et al. has shed light on a significant archaeological and genetic revelation regarding the history of By Caterina ⢠6 min read
Papers The Enigmatic Phoenician Tombs of Sicily The ancient Phoenician civilization, renowned for their expansive maritime trade networks, left an indelible mark throughout the Mediterranean, with Sicily serving as a pivotal hub in their complex web of cultural and commercial exchange. Recent archaeological investigations have revealed intriguing discrepancies between radiocarbon dating and traditional archaeological dating methods from By Jamie L ⢠4 min read
Papers Exploring the Ancient Human Face of Western Europe: Insights from Sima del Elefante A Window into Our Ancient Past Sima del Elefante, located in the Atapuerca Mountains of Spain, has emerged as a keystone site for understanding early human presence in Europe. Spanning layers of history, this cave has gifted us profound insights into both the landscape and its ancient inhabitants. The study By Caterina ⢠6 min read
Papers Uncovering the Genetic Mysteries of the Faroese People The Faroe Islands, a rugged and remote archipelago in the North Atlantic, is home to a remarkable population descended from a mix of Scandinavian and Celtic ancestors. This distinctive blend has been both a concoction of isolation and shared European histories, with settlements originating as far back as the 4th By Sven ⢠8 min read
Papers Ancient DNA Findings: Insights from the Central Plains of China during the Eastern Zhou Period The Shangshihe Cemetery and the Guo State The Shangshihe cemetery, nestled in Yima City, Henan Province, offers a remarkable window into the past, particularly the enigmatic Guo Stateâa prominent vassal state during the Western Zhou period. With the eastward migration of King Ping of Zhou, the Guo State moved By Jamie L ⢠6 min read
Papers Decoding the Evolution of the Plague (Yersinia pestis) The Silent Transformation of Yersinia Pestis: A Genomic Journey Through Time The story of Yersinia pestis, the bacterium responsible for the infamous plague, weaves through our history like a phantom, affecting empires, cultures, and the very fabric of society. Recent research has dived deep into the archaeological and archival remnants By Sven ⢠5 min read
Papers Ancient DNA Sheds Light on Population Shifts and Kinship Among Classic Maya Unveiling the Secrets of Classic Maya Copån The ancient city of Copån, nestled in the enchanting Copån Valley of western Honduras, stands as one of the most remarkable archaeological sites of the Maya civilization. This magnificent city captivates historians and archaeologists with its mesmerizing artistry, rich history, and the countless By Caterina ⢠6 min read
Papers Unveiling the Secrets of Ancient Colombian Genomes: A 6,000-Year Genetic Journey In this fascinating exploration of genetics through the ages, researchers have unveiled a 6,000-year-old genomic timeline on the Bogotå Altiplano. Their findings reveal considerable genetic transitions that mirror historical population dynamics in Colombia, casting new light on the complex interplay between ancient cultures and migration routes across the Americas. By Jamie L ⢠5 min read
Papers Unearthing North African Ancestry: Prehistoric DNA from the Green Sahara The journey back to a time when the Sahara, now one of Earth's most arid regions, was a thriving savanna known as the Green Sahara, reveals one of humanity's most remarkable transformations. Thanks to the African Humid Period (AHP), which occurred approximately 14,800 to 5, By Jamie L ⢠5 min read
Papers Ancient DNA and Genetic Diversity in Post-Roman Central Europe A recent study of ancient genomes from burial sites across post-Roman Central Europe offers a fascinating window into demographic shifts and kinship structures that arose as the Roman Empire crumbled and new societies began to emerge. By examining 248 historic genomes from Late Roman and Early Medieval sites in southern By Sven ⢠6 min read
Papers Neolithic European Farmers: Glimpses into Their Genetic World Archaeologists have unearthed invaluable insights from six sites across Germany: NiederpĂśring, Fellbach-Ăffingen, Trebur, Altendorf, Warburg, and Rimbeck. These sites offer a panoramic view of the Neolithic transition in Europe, capturing the essence of early life and its adaptations through the ages. Discoveries from these archaeological sites spread across modern Germany By Jamie L ⢠5 min read
Papers Ancient DNA in the 5th Millennium Carpathian Basin Archaeological Sites and Community Structures in the Carpathian Basin The Remarkable Aszód-Papi fÜldek In the rolling hills of Northern Hungary lies the Aszód-Papi fÜldek, a Late Neolithic site where time itself seems to have paused to tell a story. Spanning an impressive 35-40 hectares, it houses a treasure trove of By Caterina ⢠7 min read
Papers Unearthing Pompeiis Secrets: Unveiling the Genomic Tapestry of Ancient Romans Through Paleogenomic Analysis The ancient city of Pompeii presents an extraordinary tableau of Roman life frozen at a moment in history, becoming a veritable time capsule because of the Vesuvius eruption. Archaeologists have been uncovering not only buildings and artifacts but also numerous human remains that offer a thrilling glimpse into the genetic By Sven ⢠6 min read
Papers Inequality and Royal Burials at BaĹur HĂśyĂźk - Challenging Conventional Narratives in Early Bronze Age Mesopotamia The Case of BaĹur HĂśyĂźk: A 'Royal' Cemetery on the Margins of Mesopotamia The Early Bronze Age cemetery of BaĹur HĂśyĂźk, located in southeastern TĂźrkiye, has revealed stunning archaeological and anthropological findings that challenge our traditional understanding of early state formation in Mesopotamia. This enigmatic site presents a By Jamie L ⢠5 min read
Papers Bridging Past and Present: Understanding Picuris Pueblo Through Genomics and Oral Histories Ancient Connections: DNA Analysis and Cultural Narratives of Picuris Pueblo Ancient Connections: DNA Analysis and Cultural Narratives of Picuris Pueblo This comprehensive exploration unveils the long-standing connections within the Picuris Pueblo through DNA analysis and cultural narratives, revealing a millennium of continuous occupation and genetic ties that span across the By Sven ⢠7 min read
Papers Exploring the Genetic Legacy of the Anglo-Saxon Migration: Formation of the Early Medieval English Gene Pool The Anglo-Saxon migration and the formation of the early English gene pool - NatureArchaeogenetic study of ancient DNA from medieval northwestern Europeans reveals substantial increase of continental northern European ancestry in Britain, suggesting mass migration across the North Sea during the Early Middle Ages.NatureJoscha Gretzinger Archaeological Insights Introduction The By Sven ⢠4 min read
Papers 3,000 Years of Genetic Continuity on the Northern Iranian Plateau: From the Copper Age to the Sassanid Empire The Northern Iranian Plateau, a bridge between prehistory and history, has been home to over 3,000 years of genetic continuity, stretching from the Copper Age all the way to the prestigious Sassanid Empire. This layered timeline unveils itself within a series of captivating archaeological sites, each housing the secrets By Caterina ⢠5 min read
Papers Exploring Urbanization and Genetic Homogenization in Medieval Sint-Truiden Unveiling Medieval Genetic Mysteries through Palaeogenomics In an archaeological feat blending the intrigue of human history with cutting-edge genetics, researchers have uncovered new dimensions about medieval urbanization and genetic shifts through a comprehensive study of the city of Sint-Truiden. Situated in modern-day Flanders, Belgium, this remarkable study spans over a By Sven ⢠5 min read
Papers Ancient Migrations from North Asia to South America and Their Lasting Impact on Human Diversity https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adk5081 Tracing the Longest Human Migration Through Genomic Sequencing Adventures in Human History The tale of human migration stretches across millennia, beginning in the late Pleistocene when our ancestors ventured into the frozen expanses of Eurasia. Their journey did not stop there, By Jamie L ⢠5 min read
Papers Exploring the Genetic Mosaic of the Classical Greek Army: Insights Into Ancient Warfare and Mobility https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2205272119 Ancient DNA: Unveiling the Genetic Diversity of a Classical Greek Army Introduction In a fascinating journey deep into the Mediterranean past, scientists have uncovered the tangled webs of ancestry that formed a Classical Greek army. At the heart of this story By Caterina ⢠3 min read
Papers Diverse Origins: Exploring the Genetic Legacy of the Ancient Punic People Punic people were genetically diverse with almost no Levantine ancestors - NatureLevantine Phoenicians made little genetic contribution to Punic settlements in the central and western Mediterranean between the sixth and second centuries bce; instead, the Punic people derived most of their ancestry from a genetic profile similar to that of By Caterina ⢠4 min read
Papers Unveiling the BaĚthory Dynasty: Genetic Confirmation of Historical Lineage Through Ancient DNA Analysis Genetic identification of members of the prominent BĂĄthory aristocratic family - PMCThe BĂĄthory family was one of the most powerful noble families in the medieval Hungarian Kingdom. Their influence peaked during the Ottoman occupation of Hungary, when the only partially autonomous region of the country was Transylvania, underâŚNCBI home By Jamie L ⢠4 min read
Papers Enduring Stability Amidst European Migration: Iron Age Europe Stable population structure in Europe since the Iron Age, despite high mobility - PMCAncient DNA research in the past decade has revealed that European population structure changed dramatically in the prehistoric period (14,000â3000 years before present, YBP), reflecting the widespread introduction of Neolithic farmer and Bronze AgeâŚNCBI By Sven ⢠5 min read
Papers Unraveling the Celtic Language Diaspora: Insights from Ancient Genomics and the Urnfield Culture Expansion Tracing the Spread of Celtic Languages using Ancient GenomicsCeltic languages, including Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh and Breton, are today restricted to the Northern European Atlantic seaboard. However, between 3 and 2 thousand years before present (BP) Celtic was widely spoken across most of Europe. While often associated with Bell Beaker-related By Caterina ⢠5 min read
