Ancient genome-wide DNA from France highlights the complexity of interactions between Mesolithic hunter-gatherers and Neolithic farmers
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Open Access
- 29 May 2020
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Science Advances
- Vol. 6 (22), eaaz5344
- https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aaz5344
Abstract
Starting from 12,000 years ago in the Middle East, the Neolithic lifestyle spread across Europe via separate continental and Mediterranean routes. Genomes from early European farmers have shown a clear Near Eastern/Anatolian genetic affinity with limited contribution from hunter-gatherers. However, no genomic data are available from modern-day France, where both routes converged, as evidenced by a mosaic cultural pattern. Here, we present genome-wide data from 101 individuals from 12 sites covering today’s France and Germany from the Mesolithic (N = 3) to the Neolithic (N = 98) (7000–3000 BCE). Using the genetic substructure observed in European hunter-gatherers, we characterize diverse patterns of admixture in different regions, consistent with both routes of expansion. Early western European farmers show a higher proportion of distinctly western hunter-gatherer ancestry compared to central/southeastern farmers. Our data highlight the complexity of the biological interactions during the Neolithic expansion by revealing major regional variations.Funding Information
- H2020 European Research Council (771234)
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG-HA-5407/4-1)
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (RO 4148/1)
- Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR-17-FRAL-0010)
- Seoul National University (New Faculty Startup Fund)
- Fondation Fyssen
- Max Planck Society
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