Ancient genomic time transect from the Central Asian Steppe unravels the history of the Scythians

Abstract

The Scythians were a multitude of horse-warrior nomad cultures dwelling in the Eurasian steppe during the first millennium BCE. Because of the lack of first-hand written records, little is known about the origins and relations among the different cultures. To address these questions, we produced genome-wide data for 111 ancient individuals retrieved from 39 archaeological sites from the first millennia BCE and CE across the Central Asian Steppe. We uncovered major admixture events in the Late Bronze Age forming the genetic substratum for two main Iron Age gene-pools emerging around the Altai and the Urals respectively. Their demise was mirrored by new genetic turnovers, linked to the spread of the eastern nomad empires in the first centuries CE. Compared to the high genetic heterogeneity of the past, the homogenization of the present-day Kazakhs gene pool is notable, likely a result of 400 years of strict exogamous social rules.

Cosmopolitanism at the Roman Danubian Frontier, Slavic Migrations, and the Genomic Formation of Modern Balkan Peoples

“…This is even more evident in two individuals from the Pecine necropolis in Viminacium (referred to as Steppe cluster), who could be modelled as deriving ~43% of ancestry from the Balkans Iron Age-related cluster and 57% ancestry from Late Sarmatian-related Steppe groups (Figure 2; Supplementary section 12.7). Ychromosome lineages also provide evidence for gene-flow, as 5 of 7 males in the Central/Northern European and Steppe cluster belonged to two lineages not found in the Balkans earlier: haplogroup I1 with a strong Northern European distribution and haplogroup R1a-Z645, common in the Steppe during the Iron Age and early 1 st millennium CE [26][27][28] .…”

Genomic Analysis of 18th-Century Kazakh Individuals and Their Oral Microbiome

“…Due to advancements in ancient DNA (aDNA) techniques and thermal conditions that are favourable for DNA preservation, this region is being extensively surveyed. Recent aDNA research has provided an understanding of the main movements of people in Central Asia during the Bronze and Iron Age [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Large-scale genetic turnovers have been identified across the Central Steppe of Asia, which consists of mainly current-day Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Russia [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”

“…Recent aDNA research has provided an understanding of the main movements of people in Central Asia during the Bronze and Iron Age [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Large-scale genetic turnovers have been identified across the Central Steppe of Asia, which consists of mainly current-day Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Russia [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. About 5000 years ago, there was a major migration from the Yamnaya population in the Pontic-Caspian steppe to both Eastern Europe and South Asia [ 2 ].…”

Genetic Continuity of Indo-Iranian Speakers Since the Iron Age in Southern Central Asia

“…The nomadic populations from the end of the Bronze and Iron Age being very genetically heterogenous, we suspect that the source of the western steppe ancestry found in Iron Age southern Central Asia may not be sampled yet. It is interesting to notice that the gene flow between the Steppe and southern Central went two-ways 38,58 . A recent study from Gnecchi-Ruscone et al 58 has highlighted that a gene flow from BMAC contributed to the genetic formation of Scythians.…”

“…It is interesting to notice that the gene flow between the Steppe and southern Central went two-ways 38,58 . A recent study from Gnecchi-Ruscone et al 58 has highlighted that a gene flow from BMAC contributed to the genetic formation of Scythians. Our findings combined with these studies strongly corroborate the hypothesis based on archaeological evidence that southern Central Asia civilizations since BMAC and western Steppe culture had a strong cultural connection 6,8,[59][60][61][62] .…”