Open AccessAncient DNA gives new insights into a Norman Neolithic monumental cemetery dedicated to male elites
Author(s) -
Maïté Rivollat,
Aline Thomas,
Emmanuel Ghesquière,
Adam B. Rohrlach,
Ellen Späth,
MarieHélène Pémonge,
Wolfgang Haak,
Philippe Chambon,
Marie-France Deguilloux
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2120786119
Subject(s) - ancient dna , population , archaeology , geography , elite , megalith , ancient history , genealogy , ethnology , biology , history , demography , politics , sociology , political science , law
Significance By integrating genomic and archaeological data, we provide new insights into the Neolithic French monumental site of Fleury-sur-Orne in Normandy, where a group of selected individuals was buried in impressively long monuments. The earliest individuals buried at Fleury-sur-Orne match the expected western European Neolithic genetic diversity, while three individuals, designated as genetic outliers, were buried after 4,000 calibrated BCE. We hypothesize that different, unrelated families or clans used the site over several centuries. Thirteen of 14 of the analyzed individuals were male, indicating an overarching patrilineal system. However, one exception, a female buried with a symbolically male artifact, suggests that the embodiment of the male gender in death was required to access burial at the monumental structures.