The genetic history of Ice Age Europe
Fu Q, Posth C, Hajdinjak M et al.
Publication Details
Comprehensive information about this research publication
Abstract
Summary of the research findings
Modern humans arrived in Europe ~45,000 years ago, but little is known about their genetic composition before the start of farming ~8,500 years ago. Here we analyse genome-wide data from 51 Eurasians from ~45,000-7,000 years ago. Over this time, the proportion of Neanderthal DNA decreased from 3-6% to around 2%, consistent with natural selection against Neanderthal variants in modern humans. Whereas there is no evidence of the earliest modern humans in Europe contributing to the genetic composition of present-day Europeans, all individuals between ~37,000 and ~14,000 years ago descended from a single founder population which forms part of the ancestry of present-day Europeans. An ~35,000-year-old individual from northwest Europe represents an early branch of this founder population which was then displaced across a broad region, before reappearing in southwest Europe at the height of the last Ice Age ~19,000 years ago. During the major warming period after ~14,000 years ago, a genetic component related to present-day Near Easterners became widespread in Europe. These results document how population turnover and migration have been recurring themes of European prehistory.
Ancient DNA Samples
64 ancient DNA samples referenced in this publication
| Sample ID | Date/Era | Country | Locality | Sex | mtDNA | Y-DNA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I1577 | 29500 BCE | Austria | Krems-Wachtberg | M | U5* |
I-L758 |
| GoyetQ53-1 | 26440 BCE | Belgium | Troisieme caverne of Goyet cave | F | U2 |
|
| GoyetQ56-16 | 24847 BCE | Belgium | Troisieme caverne of Goyet cave | F | U2 |
|
| GoyetQ-2 | 13305 BCE | Belgium | Troisieme caverne of Goyet cave | M | U8a |
I-M170 |
| GoyetQ116-1 | 33678 BCE | Belgium | Troisieme caverne of Goyet cave | M | M |
C-V3177 |
| GoyetQ376-19 | 25771 BCE | Belgium | Troisieme caverne of Goyet cave | F | U2 |
|
| GoyetQ116-1 | 33678 BCE | Belgium | Troisieme caverne of Goyet cave | M | M |
C-V3177 |
| GoyetQ116-1 | 33678 BCE | Belgium | Troisieme caverne of Goyet cave | M | M |
C1a |
| GoyetQ376-19 | 25771 BCE | Belgium | Troisieme caverne of Goyet cave | F | U2 |
|
| GoyetQ53-1 | 26440 BCE | Belgium | Troisieme caverne of Goyet cave | F | U2 |
|
| GoyetQ56-16 | 24847 BCE | Belgium | Troisieme caverne of Goyet cave | F | U2 |
|
| Pavlov1 | 29300 BCE | Czech Republic | Dolni Vestonice | M | U5 |
I-M170 |
| Vestonice13 | 29200 BCE | Czech Republic | Dolni Vestonice | M | U8c |
C-F3393 |
| Vestonice14 | 29200 BCE | Czech Republic | Dolni Vestonice | M | U5* |
|
| Vestonice15 | 29200 BCE | Czech Republic | Dolni Vestonice | M | U5 |
BT-M42 |
| Vestonice16 | 28500 BCE | Czech Republic | Dolni Vestonice | M | U5 |
C-V86 |
| Vestonice43 | 28500 BCE | Czech Republic | Dolni Vestonice | M | U5 |
IJ-P124 |
| Rigney1 | 13696 BCE | France | Rigney | F | U2'3'4'7'8'9 |
|
| Iboussieres39 | 9992 BCE | France | Aven des Iboussières à Malataverne. Rhône-Alpes | M | U5b2b |
|
| LesCloseaux13 | 8282 BCE | France | Les Closeaux | F | U5a2 |
|
| Rochedane | 11207 BCE | France | Rochedane | M | U5b2b |
I-S21825 |
| Chaudardes1 | 6400 BCE | France | Chaudardes | M | U5b1b |
I-P215 |
| Ranchot88 | 8290 BCE | France | Ranchot | F | U5b1 |
|
| BerryAuBac | 5368 BCE | France | Berry Au Bac | M | U5b1a |
I-M170 |
| BerryAuBac | 5368 BCE | France | Berry Au Bac | M | U5b1a |
I-M170 |
| Chaudardes1 | 6400 BCE | France | Chaudardes | M | U5b1b |
I |
| Iboussieres39 | 9992 BCE | France | Aven des Iboussières à Malataverne. Rhône-Alpes | M | U5b2b |
|
| LesCloseaux13 | 8282 BCE | France | Les Closeaux | F | U5a2 |
|
| Ranchot88 | 8290 BCE | France | Ranchot | F | U5b1 |
|
| Rigney1 | 13696 BCE | France | Rigney | F | U2'3'4'7'8'9 |
|
| Rochedane | 11207 BCE | France | Rochedane | M | U5b2b |
I-S21825 |
| HohleFels49 | 13771 BCE | Germany | Swabian Jura. Baden-Wurttemberg. Hohle Fels. Ach Valley | M | U8a |
I-M170 |
| Falkenstein | 7472 BCE | Germany | Swabian Jura. Baden-Wurttemberg. Falkenstein-Höhle | M | U5a2c |
I-CTS616 |
| HohleFels79 | 13101 BCE | Germany | Swabian Jura. Baden-Wurttemberg. Hohle Fels. Ach Valley | M | U8a |
|
| Brillenhohle | 13167 BCE | Germany | Swabian Jura. Baden-Wurttemberg. Brillenhöhle. Ach Valley | M | U8a |
H-P96 |
| Bockstein | 6450 BCE | Germany | Swabian Jura. Baden-Wurttemberg. Bockstein-Höhle. Lone valley | F | U5b1d1 |
|
| Ofnet | 6472 BCE | Germany | Ofnet | F | U5b1d1 |
|
| Burkhardtshohle | 13127 BCE | Germany | Swabian Jura. Baden-Wurttemberg. Burkhardtshöhle. Westerheim | M | U8a |
I-M170 |
| Bockstein | 6450 BCE | Germany | Swabian Jura. Baden-Wurttemberg. Bockstein-Höhle. Lone valley | F | U5b1d1 |
|
| Brillenhohle | 13167 BCE | Germany | Swabian Jura. Baden-Wurttemberg. Brillenhöhle. Ach Valley | M | U8a |
H-P96 |
| Burkhardtshohle | 13127 BCE | Germany | Swabian Jura. Baden-Wurttemberg. Burkhardtshöhle. Westerheim | M | U8a |
I |
| Falkenstein | 7472 BCE | Germany | Swabian Jura. Baden-Wurttemberg. Falkenstein-Höhle | M | U5a2c |
I-CTS616 |
| HohleFels49 | 13771 BCE | Germany | Swabian Jura. Baden-Wurttemberg. Hohle Fels. Ach Valley | M | U8a |
I-M170 |
| HohleFels79 | 13101 BCE | Germany | Swabian Jura. Baden-Wurttemberg. Hohle Fels. Ach Valley | M | U8a |
|
| Ofnet | 6472 BCE | Germany | Ofnet | F | U5b1d1 |
|
| Paglicci133 | 33150 BCE | Italy | Apulia. Paglicci | M | U8c |
C-F3393 |
| Villabruna | 12268 BCE | Italy | Veneto. Villabruna | M | U5b2b |
R-L754 |
| Paglicci108 | 26700 BCE | Italy | Apulia. Paglicci | F | U2'3'4'7'8'9 |
|
| Continenza | 9300 BCE | Italy | Abruzzo. Grotta de Continenza | F | U5b2b1 |
|
| Ostuni1 | 25860 BCE | Italy | Apulia. Ostuni | F | M |
|
| Ostuni2 | 27546 BCE | Italy | Apulia. Ostuni | F | U2 |
|
| Paglicci108 | 26700 BCE | Italy | Apulia. Paglicci | F | U2'3'4'7'8'9 |
|
| Paglicci133 | 33150 BCE | Italy | Apulia. Paglicci | M | U8c |
C-F3393 |
| Continenza | 9300 BCE | Italy | Abruzzo. Grotta de Continenza | F | U5b2b1 |
|
| Villabruna | 12268 BCE | Italy | Veneto. Villabruna | M | U5b2b |
R-L754 |
| Cioclovina1 | 31343 BCE | Romania | Cioclovina | M | U |
CT-M168 |
| Cioclovina1 | 31343 BCE | Romania | Cioclovina | M | U |
CT |
| Muierii2 | 32228 BCE | Romania | Muierii 2 | F | U6* |
|
| AfontovaGora3 | 16257 BCE | Russia | Afontova Gora | F | R1b |
|
| AfontovaGora3 | 16257 BCE | Russia | Afontova Gora | F | R1b |
|
| Kostenki12 | 31300 BCE | Russia | Kostenki | M | U2 |
C-F3393 |
| Kostenki14 | 37426 BCE | Russia | Kostenki | M | U2* |
C-FT409300 |
| I0061 | 7050 BCE | Russia | Karelia. Yuzhnyy Oleni Ostrov | M | C1* |
R-FT386000 |
| ElMiron | 16898 BCE | Spain | El Miron | F | U5b |
|
Analysis
Comprehensive review of ancestry and genetic findings
Important Disclaimer: This review has been performed semi-automatically and is provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, this analysis may contain errors, omissions, or misinterpretations of the original research. DNA Genics disclaims all liability for any inaccuracies, errors, or consequences arising from the use of this information. Users should independently verify all information and consult original research publications before making any decisions based on this content. This analysis is not intended as a substitute for professional scientific review or medical advice.