Ancient genomes suggest the eastern Pontic-Caspian steppe as the source of western Iron Age nomads
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Date
2018
Authors
Potekhina, Inna
Krzewińska, Maja
Kılınç, Gülşah
Juras, Anna
Koptekin, Dilek
Chyleński, Maciej
Nikitin, Alexey G.
Shcherbakov, Nikolai
Shuteleva, Iia
Leonova, Tatiana
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
For millennia, the Pontic-Caspian steppe was a connector between the Eurasian steppe and Europe. In this scene,
multidirectional and sequential movements of different populations may have occurred, including those of
the Eurasian steppe nomads. We sequenced 35 genomes (low to medium coverage) of Bronze Age individuals
(Srubnaya-Alakulskaya) and Iron Age nomads (Cimmerians, Scythians, and Sarmatians) that represent four distinct cultural entities corresponding to the chronological sequence of cultural complexes in the region. Our results suggest that, despite genetic links among these peoples, no group can be considered a direct ancestor of the
subsequent group. The nomadic populations were heterogeneous and carried genetic affinities with populations
from several other regions including the Far East and the southern Urals. We found evidence of a stable shared
genetic signature, making the eastern Pontic-Caspian steppe a likely source of western nomadic groups.
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Keywords
archeology, genome, ancient genomes, Pontic-Caspian steppe, Iron Age, nomads, Eurasian steppe nomads, Bronze Age, Cimmerians, Scythians, Sarmatians, article
Citation
Potekhina, Inna. Ancient genomes suggest the eastern Pontic-Caspian steppe as the source of western Iron Age nomads / Maja Krzewińska, Gülşah Merve Kılınç, ... Inna Potekhina [et al.] // Science Advances. - 2018. - Vol. 4. - [12 p.].