An international team of anthropologists, archaeologists, and geneticists has gained further insights into the migration patterns of people living around the Mediterranean Sea during the Iron and Bronze ages. In their study, which was reported in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution, the group conducted genetic sequencing on the remains of 30 individuals who lived in Italy, Tunisia, and Sardinia during the Iron or Bronze Age.
According to the researchers, most of our knowledge about the people living around the Mediterranean Sea during the Iron and Bronze Ages comes from the study of artifacts they left behind. However, this evidence does not provide much information about the origins of these individuals or their ancestors. In this new study, the research team aimed to learn more about the backgrounds of these people by analyzing migration patterns using genetic sequencing.
The researchers performed shotgun sequencing (random sequencing) on samples obtained from ancient bones discovered in Italy, Tunisia, and Sardinia. This allowed them to understand the migration patterns of people living in the northern, central, and southern parts of the eastern Mediterranean during the Iron and Bronze Ages. During this time, people were traveling longer distances due to advancements in boat and shipbuilding. The team then compared their findings with the results of other sequencing studies conducted on both modern and ancient populations in the region.
The study revealed evidence of widespread migration around the Mediterranean, indicating strong connections between distant populations. The researchers also observed heterogeneity in Iron Age populations and shifts in ancestry in North Africa and Sardinia during the Bronze Age, suggesting an increase in migration. Specifically, the research showed an influx of migration from present-day Morocco and Iran by Neolithic farmers to both Sardinia and Tunisia, with slightly less migration to present-day Italy.
The research team suggests that there was an expected increase in migration during both the Iron and Bronze Ages as people sailed the Mediterranean Sea for various reasons. These migrations played a significant role in shaping the ancestry of the populations living in the region.
2023-08-18 15:24:02
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