Tian Shan Iron‑Age Nomads
A glimpse of mobile life on the Central Steppe through archaeology and DNA
Ancient and historical cultures
DNA Spotlights
Explore the places, time periods, and published research behind ancient DNA samples and the cultures associated with them.
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Culture collection
757–768 of 1,627 spotlights
Kaspan Saka: Mounds of the Almaty Steppe
Four Iron Age Saka burials from Kaspan Valley linking archaeology and early steppe DNA
Shoendykol Fedorovo: Steppe Echoes
Mid–Late Bronze Age community at Shoendykol, Kazakhstan, seen through archaeology and DNA.
Sarmatian Echoes of Kazakhstan
Iron Age graves on the Kazakh steppe linking archaeology and DNA
Southeast Karakhanid Voices
Three genomes from Butakty-1 revealing a frontier of Silk Road exchange
Tasmola Steppe: Mounds of Central Kazakhstan
A cinematic glimpse into Early Iron Age life where kurgans pierce the endless steppe
Wusun of the Tian Shan
A glimpse into nomadic life where steppe archaeology and DNA converge
Wusun (Late Saka) — Tian Shan Profiles
Three Late Saka–era individuals from Turgen-2 reveal maternal links across the Central Steppe.
Wind-Swept Saka: Eleke Sazy Burials
Iron Age Tasmola‑Saka burials on the Eleke Sazy Plateau, revealing steppe life through archaeology and DNA
Zevakinskiy Late Bronze Horizon
Stone fences, steppe horizons and a DNA glimpse into Kazakhstan's Late Bronze Age
Otrar's Late Iron Age Echoes
Small burial assemblage (100–500 CE) from Konyrtobe mound 1 reveals mixed Eurasian ancestries
Laikipia–Nakuru Iron‑Age Pastoralists
A small pastoral community in central Kenya seen through graves, grazing lands and ancient DNA