Corded Ware cultural complexity uncovered using genomic and isotopic analysis from south-eastern Poland
Anna Linderholm, Gülşah Merve Kılınç, Anita Szczepanek, Piotr Włodarczak, Paweł Jarosz, Zdzisław Bełka, Jolanta Dopieralska, Karolina Werens, Jacek Górski, Mirosław Mazurek, Monika Hozer, Małgorzata Rybicka, Mikołaj Ostrowski, Jolanta Bagińska, Wiesław Koman, Ricardo Varela, Jan Storå, Anders Götherström, Maja Krzewińska
Abstract
During the Final Eneolithic the Corded Ware Complex (CWC) emerges, chiefly identified by its specific burial rites. This complex spanned most of central Europe and exhibits demographic and cultural associations to the Yamnaya culture. To study the genetic structure and kin relations in CWC communities, we sequenced the genomes of 19 individuals located in the heartland of the CWC complex region, south-eastern Poland. Whole genome sequence and strontium isotope data allowed us to investigate genetic ancestry, admixture, kinship and mobility. The analysis showed a unique pattern, not detected in other parts of Poland; maternally the individuals are linked to earlier Neolithic lineages, whereas on the paternal side a Steppe ancestry is clearly visible. We identified three cases of kinship. Of these two were between individuals buried in double graves. Interestingly, we identified kinship between a local and a non-local individual thus discovering a novel, previously unknown burial custom.