Mitogenomic diversity and stable isotopes provide insights into the maternal genetic history, mobility patterns, and diet of early medieval individuals from the Eastern Italian Alps

Bibliographic Data

ID5417846
AuthorsCoia, Valentina Coia (0000-0002-4585-2579, Eurac Research, corresponding author), A Paladin (0000-0001-5397-195X, Eurac Research), Zingale, Stefania Zingale (0000-0002-1636-4859, Eurac Research), Myriam Croze (0000-0003-2164-1395, Eurac Research), E Cavada (Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities), Sandra Lösch (0000-0003-3442-9764, University of Bern), Lösch, F Maixner (0000-0003-2846-8994, Eurac Research), Albert Zink (0000-0002-1461-747X, Eurac Research)
Year2022
Volume14
Issue12
Publication date2022-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueArchaeological and Anthropological Sciences (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1866-9557 • E-ISSN: 1866-9565
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s12520-022-01679-z
OpenAlexW4311194070
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited80

The Eastern Italian Alps (South Tyrol) is a connection area between continental Italy and the northern Alps. Various local factors, such as the heterogeneous environment, complex historical events, and different mobility patterns, may have influenced the genetic makeup of early medieval alpine groups. However, no ancient genetic data from these groups are currently available. This study provides a first picture of the ancient mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) diversity of alpine groups from four locations in South Tyrol (Adige, Isarco, Venosta, and Merano). In total, 94 ancient mitogenomes of individuals (dated from 400 to 1100AD) were reconstructed by shotgun sequencing and a mtDNA capture approach. Moreover, stable isotope ratios (δ13C, δ15N, δ34S) were analyzed in a subset of 32 individuals. The results indicate different mtDNA haplogroup distributions among the alpine locations and the presence of rare lineages besides a possible maternal relatedness between individuals buried in the same and in diverse archaeological contexts. The study also shows differences in the genetic and mobility patterns (δ34S) between individuals from the central and north-eastern parts (Adige, Merano, Isarco) and those from the north-western part of South Tyrol (Venosta). These results suggest genetic exchanges with allochthonous people in the first group probably linked to high mobility and to geomorphological, historical, and socio-cultural factors. Comparisons extended to present-day alpine populations also suggested maternal genetic continuity in this alpine area. Finally, stable isotope (δ13C, δ15N, δ34S) data provided further support for regional differences in the diet of past alpine groups possibly linked to altitude and/or social status

Archaeology · Biology · Evolutionary biology · Genetic diversity · Geography · Haplogroup · Haplotype · Mitochondrial DNA · Population · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Demography · Forensic and Genetic Research · Genetic diversity and population structure · Ecology