Four millennia of Iberian biomolecular prehistory illustrate the impact of
prehistoric migrations at the far end of Eurasia
#MMPMID29531053
Valdiosera C
; Günther T
; Vera-Rodríguez JC
; Ureña I
; Iriarte E
; Rodríguez-Varela R
; Simões LG
; Martínez-Sánchez RM
; Svensson EM
; Malmström H
; Rodríguez L
; Bermúdez de Castro JM
; Carbonell E
; Alday A
; Hernández Vera JA
; Götherström A
; Carretero JM
; Arsuaga JL
; Smith CI
; Jakobsson M
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
2018[Mar]; 115
(13
): 3428-3433
PMID29531053
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Population genomic studies of ancient human remains have shown how modern-day
European population structure has been shaped by a number of prehistoric
migrations. The Neolithization of Europe has been associated with large-scale
migrations from Anatolia, which was followed by migrations of herders from the
Pontic steppe at the onset of the Bronze Age. Southwestern Europe was one of the
last parts of the continent reached by these migrations, and modern-day
populations from this region show intriguing similarities to the initial
Neolithic migrants. Partly due to climatic conditions that are unfavorable for
DNA preservation, regional studies on the Mediterranean remain challenging. Here,
we present genome-wide sequence data from 13 individuals combined with stable
isotope analysis from the north and south of Iberia covering a four-millennial
temporal transect (7,500-3,500 BP). Early Iberian farmers and Early Central
European farmers exhibit significant genetic differences, suggesting two
independent fronts of the Neolithic expansion. The first Neolithic migrants that
arrived in Iberia had low levels of genetic diversity, potentially reflecting a
small number of individuals; this diversity gradually increased over time from
mixing with local hunter-gatherers and potential population expansion. The impact
of post-Neolithic migrations on Iberia was much smaller than for the rest of the
continent, showing little external influence from the Neolithic to the Bronze
Age. Paleodietary reconstruction shows that these populations have a remarkable
degree of dietary homogeneity across space and time, suggesting a strong reliance
on terrestrial food resources despite changing culture and genetic make-up.
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