Medieval Individuals Research Articles

Human genetic structure in Northwest France provides new insights into West European historical demography

The demographical history of France remains largely understudied despite its central role toward understanding modern population structure across Western Europe. Here, by exploring publicly available Europe-wide genotype datasets together with the genomes of 3234 present-day and six newly sequenced medieval individuals from Northern France, we found extensive fine-scale population structure across Brittany and the downstream Loire basin and increased population differentiation between the northern and southern sides of the river Loire, associated with higher proportions of steppe vs. Neolithic-related ancestry. We also found increased allele sharing between individuals from Western Brittany and those associated with the Bell Beaker complex. Our results emphasise the need for investigating local populations to better understand the distribution of rare (putatively deleterious) variants across space and the importance of common genetic legacy in understanding the sharing of disease-related alleles between Brittany and people from western Britain and Ireland.

Assessment of lingula and foramen mandibulae morphology and their implications for inferior alveolar nerve block: a comparative study of contemporary and medieval individuals.

In this study, we conducted a detailed morphological analysis of the lingula and foramen mandibulae, aiming to examine their anatomical characteristics and relationships within contemporary and medieval individuals. Our primary objective was to provide valuable insights to assist clinicians in minimizing potential intraoperative complications during anesthesia procedures targeting the inferior alveolar nerve. To accomplish this, we examined the mandibular structures of 22 adults, 11 children aged 6-12 from archaeological findings in the Târgu Mureș area, and 14 contemporary adults. Our observations encompassed the size, shape, and spatial relationships of the lingula and foramen mandibulae concerning various points along the ascending branch of the mandible. The study revealed a distinct order of lingula shapes among medieval children and adults, with the triangle, trapezoid, nodular, and assimilated shapes being most prevalent. In modern adults, the order of nodular and assimilated shapes was reversed. Additionally, oval foramina were more common in adults, while round foramina predominated in children. Notably, there was no statistically significant difference between children and adults in the distance from the most prominent point of the lingula to the anterior edge of the ascending branch. Our findings imply that the depth at which the inferior alveolar nerve can be accessed remains relatively consistent between children and adults. Furthermore, we identified a correlation between the relationship of the shape of the lingula and the position of the mandibular foramen, providing valuable insights for clinical practice. Keywords: lingula, foramen mandibulae, morphology, inferior alveolar nerve block

Ancient mitogenomes suggest complex maternal history of one of the oldest settlements of western India

The ancient township of Vadnagar tells a story of a long chain of cultural diversity and exchange. Vadnagar has been continuously habituated and shows a presence of rich cultural amalgamation and continuous momentary sequences between the 2th century BCE and present-day. Seven cultural periods developed a complex and enriched settlement at Vadnagar in spatio-temporality. Although archaeological studies done on this oldest settlement suggested a rich cultural heritage, the genetic studies to pinpoint the genetic ancestry was lacking till date. In our current study we have for the first time reconstructed the complete mitogenomes of medieval individuals of the Vadnagar archaeological site in Gujarat. The study aimed to investigate the cosmopolitan nature of the present population as well as the migratory pattern and the inflow of different groups through trade, cultural and religious practices. Our analysis suggests heterogeneous nature of the medieval population of Vadnagar with presence of deeply rooted local ancestral components as well as central Asian genetic ancestry. This Central Asian component associated with mitochondrial haplotype U2e was not shared with any individual from India, but rather with individuals from the Bronze Age of Tajikistan and with an earlier age of coalescence. In summary, we propose that the medieval site of Vadnagar in western India was rich in cultural and genetic aspects, with both local and western Eurasian components.

Entwined African and Asian genetic roots of medieval peoples of the Swahili coast

The urban peoples of the Swahili coast traded across eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean and were among the first practitioners of Islam among sub-Saharan people1,2. The extent to which these early interactions between Africans and non-Africans were accompanied by genetic exchange remains unknown. Here we report ancient DNA data for 80 individuals from 6 medieval and early modern (ad 1250–1800) coastal towns and an inland town after ad 1650. More than half of the DNA of many of the individuals from coastal towns originates from primarily female ancestors from Africa, with a large proportion—and occasionally more than half—of the DNA coming from Asian ancestors. The Asian ancestry includes components associated with Persia and India, with 80–90% of the Asian DNA originating from Persian men. Peoples of African and Asian origins began to mix by about ad 1000, coinciding with the large-scale adoption of Islam. Before about ad 1500, the Southwest Asian ancestry was mainly Persian-related, consistent with the narrative of the Kilwa Chronicle, the oldest history told by people of the Swahili coast3. After this time, the sources of DNA became increasingly Arabian, consistent with evidence of growing interactions with southern Arabia4. Subsequent interactions with Asian and African people further changed the ancestry of present-day people of the Swahili coast in relation to the medieval individuals whose DNA we sequenced.

Pilot study of correlation of selected genetic factors with cribra orbitalia in individuals from a medieval population from Slovakia

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to investigate the potential genetic etiology of cribra orbitalia noted on human skeletal remains. MaterialsWe obtained and analyzed ancient DNA of 43 individuals with cribra orbitalia. The analyzed set represented medieval individuals from two cemeteries in western Slovakia, Castle Devín (11th-12th century AD) and Cífer-Pác (8th-9th century AD). MethodsWe performed a sequence analysis of 5 variants in 3 genes associated with anemia (HBB, G6PD, PKLR), which are the most common pathogenic variants in present day of European populations, and one variant MCM6:c.1917 + 326 C>T (rs4988235) associated with lactose intolerance. ResultsDNA variants associated with anemia were not found in the samples. The allele frequency of MCM6:c.1917 + 326 C was 0.875. This frequency is higher but not statistically significant in individuals displaying cribra orbitalia compared to individuals without the lesion. SignificanceThis study seeks to expand our knowledge of the etiology of cribra orbitalia by exploring the potential association between the lesion and the presence of alleles linked to hereditary anemias and lactose intolerance. LimitationsA relatively small set of individuals were analyzed, so an unequivocal conclusion cannot be drawn. Hence, although it is unlikely, a genetic form of anemia caused by rare variants cannot be ruled out. Suggestions for Further ResearchGenetic research based on larger sample sizes and in more diverse geographical regions.

To the field of stars: Stable isotope analysis of medieval pilgrims and populations along the Camino de Santiago in Navarre and Aragon, Spain

The Camino de Santiago emerged in the first half of the 9th century CE following the reported discovery of the remains of the Apostle St James by the bishop of Iria-Flavia, Teodomiro. Since then, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims have walked from different parts of the Iberian Peninsula, Europe, and further afield to Santiago de Compostela's Cathedral. This route was particularly important to the populations of Navarre and Aragon, two kingdoms in northern Spain that rose to prominence with the resurgence of Christianity from the 11th century onwards. Here, we present multidisciplinary analysis of medieval individuals buried in Navarre and Aragon at a time when the Camino de Santiago was reaching its peak of popularity (11th-15th centuries CE). We use stable isotope analysis (δ15N, δ13C, δ18O, and δ13Cap) and radiocarbon dating to investigate a total of 82 human individuals together with 42 fauna samples from 8 different archaeological sites located in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula. Twenty of these individuals were buried with a scallop shell, a symbol of a pilgrim who had completed the Camino de Santiago. Our data corroborate the use of the pilgrim's shell since at least the 11th century CE. Moreover, our results suggest that the pilgrimage was mainly an urban phenomenon for populations from the northern Iberian Peninsula, conducted equally by women and men, although with indications that female pilgrims may have had greater access to animal protein than their male counterparts. Our results represent the largest isotopic dataset of medieval individuals linked to the Camino de Santiago, allowing us to further investigate the origins and diets of potential pilgrims and, more generally, other sampled portions of northeastern Iberian society.

High frequency of mitochondrial haplogroups H and H2 in medieval individuals from the Cathedral of Santa María (Basque Country). Their contribution to the study of inflammatory arthropathies

The haplogroup H has been associated with high mitochondrial energy efficiency, which may have favoured survival and reproduction under adverse environmental conditions. On the other hand, it enhances the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), which are involved in the pathogenesis of several arthropathies, especially those of inflammatory origin (IAs). In the present study, we analysed mtDNA haplogroups H and H2 in a sample composed of 55 individuals recovered from the Cathedral of Santa María (Basque Country, 12th-18th centuries) including both individuals with arthropathies (N = 31) and a control group (N = 24). The obtained results showed a particularly high frequency of haplogroup H (64.5%) compared with other present and ancient populations from Northern Spain. This frequency was higher (83.3%) in individuals with Inflammatory Arthropathies (IAs). A relevant relationship was found between sub-haplogroup H2 and Spondyloarthropathies (SpAs), which is a type of Inflammatory Arthropathy (IA) that affects the axial skeleton. This relationship indicates that the H2 individuals present a greater tendency toward developing SpAs, which allows suggesting the influence of this sub-haplogroup on the etiopathogenesis of this type of diseases. The present study demonstrates that the application of a simple and straightforward methodology of aDNA analysis can be used to improve the knowledge on ancient populations, in this case the dwellers of Vitoria-Gasteiz during the Middle Ages. This approach requires taking into account the historical context, due to its important influence on the health of the population, especially when considering pathologies with a strong environmental background, such as IAs.

Maternal genetic diversity of ancient goats in Finland and Estonia and comparison with extant northern European goat breeds.

Countries in the northern Baltic Sea region have been historically linked for thousands of years, and animal husbandry is one of the many information sources that enables the study of historical connections. Although goat husbandry in this part of Europe has been evidenced by scant archaeological materials, zooarchaeological and historical evidence has revealed its continuity, at least since the Late Iron Age. To explore the historical relationship between goat lineages and investigate affinities between the past and present-day populations in the Baltic Sea region, we analysed a 476-bp fragment of the mitochondrial DNA control region in 14 ancient goats from Finland and Estonia and 10 extant goats from Finland. The results revealed high mitochondrial diversity among the ancient goats. Two maternal lineages were shared between the Late Iron Age and medieval individuals from Finland and Estonia. Moreover, ancient Finnish and Estonian goats showed maternal affinity to extant Finngoat and Swedish Landrace breeds. Overall, the analysis of maternal goat lineages confirmed tight historical connections in the region.

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

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.

Caring for the injured: Exploring the immediate and long-term consequences of injury in medieval Cambridge, England

ObjectiveTo combine paleopathological and biomechanical analysis to reconstruct the impact that a severe skeletal injury had on an individual’s ability to function and participate in medieval society. MaterialsThree medieval individuals from Cambridge, England with ante-mortem fractures to the lower limb were analyzed. MethodsPlain X-rays were used to determine the degree of malunion, rotation and overlap of each fracture. Cortical bone architecture of the injured individuals and 28 uninjured controls were analyzed using micro-computed tomography (µCT). Clinical and functional consequences were examined using the Bioarcheology of Care framework. ResultsThe mechanism of injury, the secondary complications, and the extent of the care received was reconstructed for each individual. Bilateral asymmetry in the cortical bone architecture revealed the long-term alterations to each individual’s gait. ConclusionEach of these individuals survived a severe injury resulting in chronic physical impairment, though not all would have been considered ‘disabled’. SignificanceThis research contributes to the discussion about medieval care provision and social constructions of disability by illustrating how an interdisciplinary approach provides insight into the experiences of those with physical impairments. The integration of µCT imaging within the Bioarcheology of Care model is a novel approach with great potential for application across the field. LimitationsBiomechanical analysis was restricted to cortical geometry. Suggestions for future researchFurther study of bilateral asymmetry in trabecular architecture could complement our understanding of altered loading modalities in past societies.

Genomic detection of a secondary family burial in a single jar coffin in early Medieval Korea

AbstractObjectivesFamily relationship is a key to understand the structure of past societies but its archeological reconstruction mostly stays circumstantial. Archaeogenetic information, especially genome‐wide data, provide an objective approach to accurately reconstruct the familial relationship of ancient individuals, thus allowing a robust test of an archaeology‐driven hypothesis of kinship. In this study, we applied this approach to disentangle the genetic relationship of early Medieval individuals from Korea, who were secondarily co‐buried in a single jar coffin.Materials and MethodsWe obtained genome‐wide data of six early Medieval Korean individuals from a jar coffin. We inferred the genetic relatedness between these individuals and characterized their genetic profiles using well‐established population genetics methods.ResultsCongruent with the unusual pattern of multiple individuals in a single jar coffin, genome‐wide analysis of these individuals shows that they form an extended family, including a couple, their two children and both paternal and maternal relatives. We show that these early Medieval Koreans have a genetic profile similar to present‐day Koreans.DiscussionWe show that an unusual case of the secondary multiple burial in a single jar coffin reflects family relationship among the co‐buried individuals. We find both paternal and maternal relatives co‐buried with the nuclear family, which may suggest a family structure with limited gender bias. We find the genetic profile of early Medieval Koreans similar to that of present‐day Koreans, showing that the genetic root of the present‐day Koreans goes back at least 1500 years in the Korean peninsula.

Root and canal morphology of the permanent teeth in medieval and current French population

ObjectiveThis work describes and compares the root and root canal morphology of a medieval population dating from the 8th to 10th century from the southwest of France, and a current French population. DesignThe root morphology of 579 teeth from 70 medieval individuals was analyzed using cone beam computed tomography, and compared with 690 teeth from a current French population of 329 individuals. The Vertucci classification was used to describe the root canal configuration. ResultsIn the medieval population, the maxillary first premolar usually had one root. In contrast, in the current population this tooth predominantly had two roots, and the three-root form had appeared. Mandibular canine with two roots was observed in 5.7% of cases, and in the current population this form was found in 1.6% but the difference was not significative. The greatest variability between the two populations in terms of root canal configuration was in one-rooted maxillary first and second premolars, the mandibular canines, and the distal roots of the mandibular first molars. Differences in root numbers and canal configurations of the maxillary molars investigated among the two populations were not significant. ConclusionsThis study indicated that the upper first premolar of the current population tended to have more than one root, while this tooth type of the medieval group mostly appeared with only one. For the root canal configuration, studies in the upper premolars, lower canines and first molars of the current population apparently revealed a significant simplification compared with the ancient group.

Looking for the most suitable method for the study of entheseal changes: Application to upper limb's fibrocartilaginous entheses in a human medieval sample

AbstractThe study of entheseal changes (ECs), that is, osseous changes that occur at muscle attachment sites, has increased in recent years because they have been considered one of the most promising markers of activity in the human skeleton. Their aetiology is highly questioned because several factors unrelated to mechanical stress may be involved in their occurrence. Here, we test the validity of some methods created on different bases for the study of ECs to try to make an approach towards the most beneficial aspects of each method. Seven upper limbs' fibrocartilaginous entheses from a sample of 60 adult medieval individuals have been analysed employing three methods: Villotte (2006), Santana (2011) and the so‐called New Coimbra method (Henderson et al., 2016; Henderson, Mariotti, et al., 2013). These three methods have been applied on the same skeletons. The results show that the three methods seem to indicate the same general trends but with different intensity and some nuances. Santana's method always provides the most frequencies of presence and the highest scores of ECs. In turn, the Coimbra method finds the fewest scores and frequencies of ECs probably because its criteria are the most specific of the three methods. Villotte's method seems to be the one that determines the general tendencies of ECs in the clearest way. This is also evidenced by the calculated Kappa coefficients: the highest agreement is detected between Villotte's lowest scores and Santana's highest ones (k = 0.743); the moderate agreement (k = 0.596; k = 0.544) recorded between Villotte's highest scores and Coimbra's lowest indicates that the latest one registers the lowest scores of ECs between the analysed three methods. All this points to a methodological consensus that should be based on current anatomical knowledge, criteria that are intuitive and flexible, and the use of many scores of osseous expression to avoid excessive sample fragmentation.

Employing radiography (X-rays) to localize lesions in human skeletal remains from past populations to allow accurate biopsy, using examples of cancer metastases.

Clinical research into biomolecules from infectious diseases and cancers has advanced rapidly in recent years, with two key areas being DNA analysis and proteomics. If we wish to understand important diseases and their associated biomolecules in past populations, techniques are required that will allow accurate biopsy of lesions in excavated human skeletal remains. While locating lesions visible on the surface of a bone is simple, many lesions such as cancer metastases are located in the medulla of bones, unseen on visual inspection. Here, we use two novel image guided techniques to investigate how plain radiographs may improve accuracy in the localization of lesions within bones from medieval individuals. While both techniques were effective, we found the grid technique required fewer radiographs than the pointer technique to employ and so was responsible for a lower overall radiation dose. We then discuss methods available for biopsy in archeological bone and how the optimal location for the biopsy of malignant lesions will vary depending upon whether the tumor is blastic or lytic in nature. Limitations of this X‐ray guided approach include that not all cancer metastases are visible on plain radiographs, as erosion of cortical bone is frequently required for visualization of lytic metastases using this imaging modality.

Mitochondrial DNA Profiles of Individuals from a 12th Century Necropolis in Feldioara (Transylvania).

The genetic signature of modern Europeans is the cumulated result of millennia of discrete small-scale exchanges between multiple distinct population groups that performed a repeated cycle of movement, settlement, and interactions with each other. In this study we aimed to highlight one such minute genetic cycle in a sea of genetic interactions by reconstructing part of the genetic story of the migration, settlement, interaction, and legacy of what is today the Transylvanian Saxon. The analysis of the mitochondrial DNA control region of 13 medieval individuals from Feldioara necropolis (Transylvania region, Romania) reveals a genetically heterogeneous group where all identified haplotypes are different. Most of the perceived maternal lineages are of Western Eurasian origin, except for the Central Asiatic haplogroup C seen in only one sample. Comparisons with historical and modern populations describe the contribution of the investigated Saxon settlers to the genetic history of this part of Europe.

Medieval Futures

Medieval Futures Jessalynn Bird and Sarah Noonan Saint Mary’s College hosted the 36th annual meeting of the Illinois Medieval Association on 21–22 February 2020. The theme of this conference was “Medieval Futures,” and participants were invited to consider medieval perspectives of futurity from a range of disciplinary perspectives. Through this topic, the conference organizers sought to bring together historical, literary, and religious interrogations of how medieval individuals planned for and conceived of the future—and to use this medieval foundation as inspiration for conversations about modern conceptions of futurity and the current challenges facing the field of medieval studies, writ large. The conference had thirty-one paper presentations and fifty-eight registered participants. Bernard McGinn (University of Chicago) and Dot Porter (University of Pennsylvania) delivered the two plenary lectures. The shadow of the coronavirus pandemic was beginning to extend across the global horizon as this conference was taking place, and although the conference theme was not developed in the anticipation of a global pandemic, the essays included in this volume nonetheless resonate with pandemic-inspired conversations. From examinations of the contingent nature of perceptions of time, to discussions of how one might prepare for an extended absence—or for eventual death, these essays speak to our ongoing efforts to navigate an uncertain future as we attempt to respond to events outside of our control. It is testimony to the enduring resilience of the human spirit that our twenty-first century authors, following in the footsteps of their medieval predecessors, weathered a pandemic while preparing their papers for inclusion in this volume. [End Page v] Jessalynn Bird Saint Mary’s College Sarah Noonan Saint Mary’s College Acknowledgments We would like to thank everyone who helped to organize the conference and who contributed to the production of this issue of Essays in Medieval Studies, especially: the Illinois Medieval Association, the departments of English and Human-istic Studies at Saint Mary’s College; the Medieval Institute of the University of Notre Dame, which generously funded one of our plenary speakers; the Cushwa-Leighton Library at Saint Mary’s College, its director, Joseph Thomas, and its librarians, including Catherine Pellegrino, Kitty Marschall, and Jill Hobgood; the Rare Books and Special Collections at the Hesburgh Library, especially David Gura, curator of ancient and medieval manuscripts; Sara Georgi, managing editor, West Virginia University Press; many staff members of Saint Mary’s College, including Michele Marlow, Richard Baxter, Laura McCormack, and Kristee Dampeer; our fabulous student workers, including Alex Bradley, Amory Descoteaux, Sarah Catherine Caldwell, Olivia Propheter, and Sarah Schlecht; and our generous colleagues who chaired sessions during the conference, including John Van Engen (University of Notre Dame), Molly Gower (Saint Mary’s College), Leonardo Francalanci (University of Notre Dame), and Sr. Eva Hooker, CSC (Saint Mary’s College). Copyright © 2021 West Virginia University Press

The population of the medieval Plyos (based on archaeological excavations of the Varvara necropolis in Plyos, modern Ivanovo Region)

Traditionally, the emergence of the Russian medieval town of Plyos is attributed to the second half of the 12th c., when a fortress was built on the Sobornaya Mountain (upper part), and a settlement emerged in the lower area on the left bank of the River Shokhonka, right-bank tributary of the Volga River. Craftsmen and fishermen quar-ters, which presumably had appeared long before the fortress, located on the other side of Shokhonka. Plyos was first mentioned in written sources in 1141. During the archaeological excavations in the Varvarinskaya street (Varvara necropolis) on the territory of modern Plyos town (Ivanovo Region), managed by the «Ivanovo Archaeo-logical Expedition» company, human skeletal remains dated to the 10th–13th c. were found. This palaeoanthro-pological material characterizes the population which inhabited the Upper Volga region (Verkhnee Povolzhye) in the Middle Ages. The aim of this study was to analyse the formation of the anthropological features of the medie-val town population and assess its physical appearance. Material and methods: 17 skulls (11 male and 6 female) were examined according to standard craniological protocol, 19 uncomplete postcranial skeletons were measured following the standard osteometric protocol with some authors modifications: we present detailed data on the postcranial skeletons and the analysis of limb proportions and robustness of the long bones. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used for intergroup comparison with craniological series from ten different Russian and Belo-russian towns (11th–16th c.). Major results and conclusions. Presented paleoanthropological study has revealed a number of characteristics for the male skulls, associated with elongated cranium, average-high face and sharp horizontal facial profile. The female skulls exhibit mesocrania and smoother naso-molar area profile. Morphologi-cal analysis of the postcranial skeletons has demonstrated relatively elongated forearms and shortened shins in individuals from this burial ground. Reconstructed living stature of the males appears to be above average, and for women, on the contrary, below average. The problem of the common and specific patterns in the formation of the anthropological traits of the medieval town population cannot be addressed with the available anthropological material. However, PCA of the studied craniological sample indicates that the males are morphologically related to the medieval individuals from Yaroslavl (Russia) and partly to those from Novogrudok (Belarus). Thus, medie-val men buried on the territory of Plyos were undoubtedly related to (presumable) retainers buried in the sanitary graves in Yaroslavl.

The dietary behavior of two early medieval individuals with temporomandibular ankylosis

ObjectivesThis study aimed to reconstruct the dietary behavior of two early medieval individuals who display gnathic malformation. MaterialTwo skeletons affected by temporomandibular ankylosis were analyzed, one from the Great Moravian burial site of Rajhradice (9th century AD, Czech Republic), and the other from the Avar burial site of Schӧnkirchen (8th century AD, Austria). MethodsCarbon and nitrogen isotopic values were measured from the bone collagen of both individuals. In the Rajhradice case, where the childhood origin of ankylosis is deduced, isotopic analysis of dentine sections was performed. ResultsBoth individuals show isotopic values within the range of variation of a contemporaneous population sample. There was no observable dietary change in the Rajhradice individual that could be linked to the occurrence of ankylosis. ConclusionsBoth individuals consumed diets typical for their populations. They appear to not have restricted access to foodstuffs, namely animal protein, which would likely have had to be served in liquid (e.g. milk) or in a highly mashed form to compensate for insufficient mastication. SignificanceThis finding provides specific evidence of care provided to these two afflicted members of past populations. LimitationsThough the proportion of animal protein is an important indicator of the quality of diet, many other aspects of diet – such as micronutrient content – elude stable isotope analysis. Suggestions for further researchAmino acid compound specific isotope analyses of collagen would provide deeper insight into both the diet and physiology of the affected individuals.

Mapping co-ancestry connections between the genome of a Medieval individual and modern Europeans

Historical genetic links among similar populations can be difficult to establish. Identity by descent (IBD) analyses find genomic blocks that represent direct genealogical relationships among individuals. However, this method has rarely been applied to ancient genomes because IBD stretches are progressively fragmented by recombination and thus not recognizable after few tens of generations. To explore such genealogical relationships, we estimated long IBD blocks among modern Europeans, generating networks to uncover the genetic structures. We found that Basques, Sardinians, Icelanders and Orcadians form, each of them, highly intraconnected sub-clusters in a European network, indicating dense genealogical links within small, isolated populations. We also exposed individual genealogical links -such as the connection between one Basque and one Icelandic individual- that cannot be uncovered with other, widely used population genetics methods such as PCA or ADMIXTURE. Moreover, using ancient DNA technology we sequenced a Late Medieval individual (Barcelona, Spain) to high genomic coverage and identified IBD blocks shared between her and modern Europeans. The Medieval IBD blocks are statistically overrepresented only in modern Spaniards, which is the geographically closest population. This approach can be used to produce a fine-scale reflection of shared ancestry across different populations of the world, offering a direct genetic link from the past to the present.

Combined methodologies for gaining much information from ancient dental calculus: testing experimental strategies for simultaneously analysing DNA and food residues

Dental calculus from archaeological samples is a rich source of ancient biomolecules, such as DNA, proteins, and microremains, mainly related to food. Focusing on different contents, laboratory procedures require specific treatments that necessitate the same material and are generally mutually exclusive; therefore, the low quantity of the starting material is often the main limiting factor for gathering data. Here, we compare different combinations of laboratory procedures in order to identify the best strategy for simultaneously extracting DNA and isolating plant residue. Preliminary tests were performed on fresh plant materials to verify the effects of the DNA extraction protocols on starch grains and phytoliths. Different combined experimental procedures were successively applied to the dental calculus of three medieval individuals. Our results confirmed that authentic genetic data could be recovered from ancient dental calculus using protocols commonly used for extracting DNA from ancient bones and teeth, and the residual pellet could be successfully used for morphological characterization of plant residues. In addition, we confirmed that, although most DNA within calculus is microbial, the whole human mitochondrial genome could be reconstructed using target enrichment techniques.