Genomic and dietary discontinuities during the Mesolithic and Neolithic in Sicily
Yu H, van de Loosdrecht MS, Mannino MA et al.
Publication Details
Comprehensive information about this research publication
Abstract
Summary of the research findings
Sicily is a key region for understanding the agricultural transition in the Mediterranean because of its central position. Here, we present genomic and stable isotopic data for 19 prehistoric Sicilians covering the Mesolithic to Bronze Age periods (10,700-4,100 yBP). We find that Early Mesolithic hunter-gatherers (HGs) from Sicily are a highly drifted lineage of the Early Holocene western European HGs, whereas Late Mesolithic HGs carry ∼20% ancestry related to northern and (south) eastern European HGs, indicating substantial gene flow. Early Neolithic farmers are genetically most similar to farmers from the Balkans and Greece, with only ∼7% of ancestry from local Mesolithic HGs. The genetic discontinuities during the Mesolithic and Early Neolithic match the changes in material culture and diet. Three outlying individuals dated to ∼8,000 yBP; however, suggest that hunter-gatherers interacted with incoming farmers at Grotta dell'Uzzo, resulting in a mixed economy and diet for a brief interlude at the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition.
Ancient DNA Samples
21 ancient DNA samples referenced in this publication
| Sample ID | Date/Era | Country | Locality | Sex | mtDNA | Y-DNA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UZZ057 | 2196 BCE | Italy | Sicily. Grotta dell’Uzzo | M | |
R1b1a1b1a1a2 |
| UZZ026 | 9040 BCE | Italy | Sicily. Grotta dell’Uzzo | M | |
|
| UZZ096 | 8800 BCE | Italy | Sicily. Grotta dell’Uzzo | F | U2'3'4'7'8'9 |
|
| UZZ077 | 5476 BCE | Italy | Sicily. Grotta dell’Uzzo | F | H |
|
| UZZ079 | 6694 BCE | Italy | Sicily. Grotta dell’Uzzo | F | U5b3(d) |
|
| UZZ080 | 6694 BCE | Italy | Sicily. Grotta dell’Uzzo | F | U5b2b1a |
|
| UZZ081 | 6693 BCE | Italy | Sicily. Grotta dell’Uzzo | M | U5b3(d) |
I2a1b2 |
| UZZ082 | 6694 BCE | Italy | Sicily. Grotta dell’Uzzo | F | U5a1 |
|
| UZZ040 | 6416 BCE | Italy | Sicily. Grotta dell’Uzzo | M | U4a2f |
I2a1b |
| UZZ4446 | 6633 BCE | Italy | Sicily. Grotta dell’Uzzo | F | U5b2b |
|
| UZZ069 | 6773 BCE | Italy | Sicily. Grotta dell’Uzzo | F | U5b2b |
|
| UZZ071 | 6008 BCE | Italy | Sicily. Grotta dell’Uzzo | F | U5a2+16294 |
|
| UZZ5054 | 8798 BCE | Italy | Sicily. Grotta dell’Uzzo | F | U2'3'4'7'8'9 |
|
| UZZ088 | 5987 BCE | Italy | Sicily. Grotta dell’Uzzo | F | U5b3(d) |
|
| UZZ061 | 4879 BCE | Italy | Sicily. Grotta dell’Uzzo | M | K1a2 |
C1a2b1 |
| UZZ099 | 4050 BCE | Italy | Sicily. Grotta dell’Uzzo | M | X2b |
|
| UZZ087 | 5311 BCE | Italy | Sicily. Grotta dell’Uzzo | F | |
|
| UZZ033 | 5380 BCE | Italy | Sicily. Grotta dell’Uzzo | M | U8b1b1 |
H2 |
| UZZ034 | 5376 BCE | Italy | Sicily. Grotta dell’Uzzo | F | U8b1b1 |
|
| UZZ074 | 5327 BCE | Italy | Sicily. Grotta dell’Uzzo | F | N1a1a1 |
|
| UZZ075 | 5327 BCE | Italy | Sicily. Grotta dell’Uzzo | F | J1c5 |
|
Analysis
Comprehensive review of ancestry and genetic findings
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