Ancient genomics and the population history of the Circum-Alpine region

Introduction

The prehistoric pile dwellings in and around the Alps constitute one of the most important archaeological archives of human prehistory. Dating from around 5000 to 500 BC, there are over 1000 known sites in the region, 111 of which are listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Preservation Conditions

The sites are mainly located under water, on lake shores, along rivers, or in wetlands, offering exceptional conditions for the preservation of organic materials like wood, plant remains, animal bones, artefacts, and even textiles.

Insights into Prehistoric Life

Because of their exceptional preservation, the archaeological remains from those sites give us a unique window into the lives of prehistoric people and the development of early agrarian societies in Central Europe.

Limitations in Current Knowledge

However, despite the rich material evidence from the settlements, we know relatively little about the people who lived there. This is because there are no burials directly associated with the lake settlements, which has precluded the study of ancient DNA, for example.

Alternative Sources of Ancient DNA

Luckily, there are other sources of ancient DNA, including ancient “chewing gums” which provide a rich source of ancient human and host-associated microbial DNA, as we recently demonstrated.

Project Objectives

In this project, we will:

1. Sequence ancient DNA and other biomolecules from ancient “chewing gums” found at lake settlements in and around the Alps.
2. Shed new light on the lives of the Alpine communities that settled there between 5000 and 500 BC.

Research Opportunities

With access to over 300 specimens from archaeological sites north and south of the Alps, we have the unique opportunity to study:

• Their interactions
• The demographic and cultural changes that characterised the transition from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age in Central Europe.

Expected Outcomes

In addition, the project promises to offer new insights into:

• Peoples’ health
• The composition of their oral microbiome
• Their diet and subsistence strategies.

Together, the proposed research will provide us with a richer understanding of the pile-dwelling communities of Central Europe.