100 ancient genomes show repeated population turnovers in Neolithic Denmark

Area of Science:

• Paleogenomics
• Archaeogenetics
• European Prehistory

Background:

• Holocene Eurasia migration events are genetically characterized at broad scales.
• Lack of high-resolution ancient genomic data in contact zones limits population dynamics insights.

Purpose of the Study:

• Analyze ancient genomes from Denmark spanning 7,300 years.
• Integrate genomic data with diet, mobility, and vegetation proxies.
• Reconstruct population dynamics during Mesolithic, Neolithic, and Early Bronze Age.

Main Methods:

• Shotgun sequencing of 100 ancient skeletons.
• Stable isotope analysis (¹³C, ¹⁵N) for diet.
• Strontium isotope ratios (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) for mobility.
• Pollen analysis for vegetation cover.

Main Results:

• Danish Mesolithic hunter-gatherers (Maglemose, Kongemose, Ertebølle) formed a distinct, genetically homogeneous cluster.
• Abrupt Neolithic transition with Anatolian-derived farmers led to population turnover, minimal local hunter-gatherer admixture.
• Second rapid replacement by Steppe-derived ancestry (Single Grave culture) occurred after the Funnel Beaker culture.

Conclusions:

• Major demographic shifts in Denmark were marked by parallel changes in genetics, diet, mobility, and land use.
• Population replacements were rapid and significantly altered the genetic landscape.
• Ancient genomics combined with multiproxy data provides high-resolution insights into European population history.