Ancient DNA reveals diverse community organizations in the 5th millennium BCE Carpathian Basin

Anna Szécsényi-Nagy (), Cristian Virag, Kristóf Jakab, Nadin Rohland, Harald Ringbauer, Alexandra Anders, Pál Raczky, Tamás Hajdu, Krisztián Kiss, Tamás Szeniczey, Sándor Évinger, Tamás Keszi, Zsuzsanna M. Virág, Olivia Cheronet, Swapan Mallick, Ali Akbari, Ron Pinhasi, David Reich () and Zsuzsanna Siklósi ()
Additional contact information
Anna Szécsényi-Nagy: HUN-REN Research Centre for the Humanities
Cristian Virag: Satu Mare County Museum
Kristóf Jakab: HUN-REN Research Centre for the Humanities
Nadin Rohland: Harvard Medical School
Harald Ringbauer: Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Alexandra Anders: ELTE Eötvös Loránd University
Pál Raczky: ELTE Eötvös Loránd University
Tamás Hajdu: ELTE Eötvös Loránd University
Krisztián Kiss: HUN-REN Research Centre for the Humanities
Tamás Szeniczey: ELTE Eötvös Loránd University
Sándor Évinger: Hungarian National Museum Public Collection Centre
Tamás Keszi: Hungarian National Museum Public Collection Centre
Zsuzsanna M. Virág: Aquincum Museum
Olivia Cheronet: University of Vienna
Swapan Mallick: Harvard Medical School
Ali Akbari: Harvard Medical School
Ron Pinhasi: University of Vienna
David Reich: Harvard Medical School
Zsuzsanna Siklósi: ELTE Eötvös Loránd University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-20

Abstract: Abstract Little is known about the genetic connection system and community organization of Late Neolithic and Early Copper Age populations of the Carpathian Basin. Here, we present a comprehensive genetic investigation of these populations, leveraging whole genome data from 125 individuals. Using population genetics, kinship analyses and the study of networks of identity-by-descent haplotype segment sharing, we elucidate the social and genetic dynamics of these communities between 4800−3900 calibrated years BCE. Despite changes in settlement patterns, burial practices, and material culture, we document a high degree of genetic continuity. While one set of individuals from a large community cemetery is genetically diverse, another site is more homogenous and closed, with numerous consanguineous relationships and evidence of patrilineality and patrilocality. In this work, we document important differences in kinship systems in contemporaneous Early Copper Age communities using similar material culture and living only about 100 km apart.

Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-60368-2

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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60368-2

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