The biological and cultural markers that define this ancient individual
ZKU002
33749 BCE - 30151 BCE
Female
N
Upper Paleolithic to Hunter-Gatherer in Bohemia
Where this individual was discovered
When this individual lived in the broader context of human history
The narrative of this ancient life
The Upper Paleolithic era represents a significant period in the prehistory of Europe, marked by the emergence and development of modern Homo sapiens and a rich cultural and technological evolution. In the region of Bohemia, which is now part of modern-day Czechia, this period was characterized by a vibrant hunter-gatherer culture that adapted to the diverse and changing environment of Central Europe.
The Upper Paleolithic period in Europe dates approximately from 50,000 to 10,000 years ago. During this time, the climate underwent significant fluctuations, transitioning from cold glacial conditions to the more temperate climates of the Holocene. Bohemia, situated in the heart of Europe, offered a varied landscape of forests, rivers, and open plains, providing a rich ecosystem that supported a variety of flora and fauna. This made it an ideal region for prehistoric hunter-gatherers to thrive.
The Upper Paleolithic saw the development of sophisticated stone tool technologies. In Bohemia, like other parts of Europe, the Aurignacian, Gravettian, and Magdalenian cultures are evident through archaeological findings:
Aurignacian Culture (c. 43,000-26,000 years ago): The Aurignacian is known for its production of sharp, fine blades and tools made from flint and other types of stone. This culture also brought innovations in art, evident in cave paintings and carved figurines, although direct evidence of such art in Bohemia is limited compared to regions like France and Spain.
Gravettian Culture (c. 30,000-22,000 years ago): This period is marked by the Gravettian culture, notable for its small, pointed blades suited for hunting. The Gravettian people also developed advanced techniques for making clothing and shelters, crucial for survival in colder climates. Venus figurines, representing fertility and social roles, are a symbolic artistic expression from this era.
Magdalenian Culture (c. 17,000-12,000 years ago): As the climate warmed towards the end of the Paleolithic, the Magdalenian culture emerged. This culture is known for its elaborate bone and antler tools, as well as advancements in weaponry, including harpoons and spear-throwers. Artistic expression flourished, although the examples from Bohemia are not as pronounced as in Western Europe.
Hunter-gatherers in Upper Paleolithic Bohemia lived primarily off the land, utilizing resources from the surrounding forests and plains. Their diet included a wide range of plants, seeds, fruits, and animals, from small game to large mammals such as mammoths, reindeer, and bison. Seasonal migration and settlements were common, allowing these groups to follow animal herds and take advantage of different seasonal resources.
Their social structure was likely complex and dynamic, with small, mobile groups forming the basic social units. These groups were probably based on kinship and could come together with other groups during certain times of the year for cooperative activities like large-scale hunts or social and ceremonial events.
Archaeological discoveries in Bohemia have uncovered a wealth of artifacts that shed light on the lives of these early hunter-gatherers. Sites such as Dolní Věstonice provide critical insights into the technological, social, and artistic practices of these prehistoric communities. These sites reveal a rich collection of tools, ornaments, and evidence of permanent and semi-permanent dwellings that indicate a complex and organized society.
The Upper Paleolithic era in Bohemia presents a fascinating glimpse into the lives of early European hunter-gatherers. These communities demonstrated remarkable adaptability and resilience, developing diverse and innovative strategies to survive and thrive in the challenging climatic conditions of prehistoric Europe. Their legacy is preserved in the archaeological record, offering valuable insights into the origins and evolution of human culture and society.
The genetic ancestry of this ancient individual
This analysis compares the DNA profile of ZKU002 with ancient reference populations, showing the genetic composition in terms of prehistoric ancestral groups.
This analysis compares the DNA profile with present-day reference populations, showing what percentage of genetic makeup resembles modern populations from different regions.
These are the modern populations showing the closest statistical alignment to A woman buried in Czech Republic in the Paleolithic era, ranked by genetic distance. Lower distance values indicate closer statistical similarity.
Other ancient individuals connected to this sample
Scientific publications and genetic data
Modern humans expanded into Eurasia more than 40,000 years ago following their dispersal out of Africa. These Eurasians carried ~2-3% Neanderthal ancestry in their genomes, originating from admixture with Neanderthals that took place sometime between 50,000 and 60,000 years ago, probably in the Middle East. In Europe, the modern human expansion preceded the disappearance of Neanderthals from the fossil record by 3,000-5,000 years. The genetic makeup of the first Europeans who colonized the continent more than 40,000 years ago remains poorly understood since few specimens have been studied. Here, we analyse a genome generated from the skull of a female individual from Zlatý kůň, Czechia. We found that she belonged to a population that appears to have contributed genetically neither to later Europeans nor to Asians. Her genome carries ~3% Neanderthal ancestry, similar to those of other Upper Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers. However, the lengths of the Neanderthal segments are longer than those observed in the currently oldest modern human genome of the ~45,000-year-old Ust'-Ishim individual from Siberia, suggesting that this individual from Zlatý kůň is one of the earliest Eurasian inhabitants following the expansion out of Africa.
The G25 coordinates for sample ZKU002 can be used for detailed admixture analysis in our G25 Studio tool.
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