Papers Untangling the Sogdians Ancestry: Silk Road Trade, Tang Dynasty Graves, and Genetic Admixture Sogdians and Silk Road Trade: A Genetic Revelation Sogdians and Silk Road Trade: A Genetic Revelation Unveiling the Past through Archaeology and Genetics The Silk Road, a legendary conduit of cultures and commerce, fostered connections across civilizations spanning from China to the Mediterranean. This iconic network of trade routes served By Caterina • 3 min read
Papers Ancient Plagues and Epidemics: DNA Insights from 35,000 Years of History Ancient Pathogens in Human History Ancient Pathogens in Human History The story of ancient pathogens is as intricate as the history of human civilization itself, spanning thousands of years and revealing fascinating insights into the evolution of these microscopic invaders. Unearthed from the graves of our ancestors, these pathogens tell By Caterina • 4 min read
Papers Unveiling the Genetic Shifts in Neolithic to Bronze Age Catalonia Neolithic and Bronze Age Genetic Transitions at Mas d'en Boixos Neolithic and Bronze Age Genetic Transitions at Mas d'en Boixos Archaeological Context and Site Overview The archaeological site of Mas d'en Boixos (MDB), nestled in the Catalan pre-littoral depression of the Penedès region, represents By Caterina • 4 min read
Papers Deciphering the Genetic Ancestry of the Sarmatian Peoples The Sarmatian Period in the Carpathian Basin The Sarmatian Period in the Carpathian Basin: Archaeological Wonders and the Role of DNA Archaeological Discovery of the Sarmatians The Sarmatians were a nomadic people believed to have migrated from the Central Steppe region and the Southern Urals, arriving in the Carpathian Basin By Caterina • 5 min read
Papers Scientific Insights into Ancient Macedonia: the Tomb of Persephone and its Occupants Vergina: A Glimpse into Ancient Macedonia Buried deep under the Great Tumulus of Vergina, often referred to as Aegae, lies a remarkable cist-tomb known popularly as the "Tomb of Persephone." Situated in the midst of what is believed to be a royal burial complex of the Macedonian kings, By Caterina • 4 min read
Papers Echoes of Imperial Russia: A Genomic Journey with Mrs. Callavinna Keller The Romanovs and Their Modern Connection The enduring allure of the Romanov family has been marked by mystery, intrigue, and tragic history. Over a century after their brutal execution, modern-day science invites us to revisit the past through the power of DNA. Mrs. Callavinna Keller's genetic journey offers By Caterina • 4 min read
Papers Pre-European Leprosy in the Americas Archaeological and Genetic Exploration of Pre-European Leprosy in the Americas Archaeological and Genetic Exploration of Pre-European Leprosy in the Americas The Fascinating Discovery of Ancient Leprosy in the Americas The recent study by Lopopolo et al. has shed light on a significant archaeological and genetic revelation regarding the history of By Caterina • 6 min read
Papers Exploring the Ancient Human Face of Western Europe: Insights from Sima del Elefante A Window into Our Ancient Past Sima del Elefante, located in the Atapuerca Mountains of Spain, has emerged as a keystone site for understanding early human presence in Europe. Spanning layers of history, this cave has gifted us profound insights into both the landscape and its ancient inhabitants. The study By Caterina • 6 min read
Papers Ancient DNA Sheds Light on Population Shifts and Kinship Among Classic Maya Unveiling the Secrets of Classic Maya Copán The ancient city of Copán, nestled in the enchanting Copán Valley of western Honduras, stands as one of the most remarkable archaeological sites of the Maya civilization. This magnificent city captivates historians and archaeologists with its mesmerizing artistry, rich history, and the countless By Caterina • 6 min read
Papers Ancient DNA in the 5th Millennium Carpathian Basin Archaeological Sites and Community Structures in the Carpathian Basin The Remarkable Aszód-Papi földek In the rolling hills of Northern Hungary lies the Aszód-Papi földek, a Late Neolithic site where time itself seems to have paused to tell a story. Spanning an impressive 35-40 hectares, it houses a treasure trove of By Caterina • 7 min read
Papers 3,000 Years of Genetic Continuity on the Northern Iranian Plateau: From the Copper Age to the Sassanid Empire The Northern Iranian Plateau, a bridge between prehistory and history, has been home to over 3,000 years of genetic continuity, stretching from the Copper Age all the way to the prestigious Sassanid Empire. This layered timeline unveils itself within a series of captivating archaeological sites, each housing the secrets By Caterina • 5 min read
Papers Exploring the Genetic Mosaic of the Classical Greek Army: Insights Into Ancient Warfare and Mobility https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2205272119 Ancient DNA: Unveiling the Genetic Diversity of a Classical Greek Army Introduction In a fascinating journey deep into the Mediterranean past, scientists have uncovered the tangled webs of ancestry that formed a Classical Greek army. At the heart of this story By Caterina • 3 min read
Papers Diverse Origins: Exploring the Genetic Legacy of the Ancient Punic People Punic people were genetically diverse with almost no Levantine ancestors - NatureLevantine Phoenicians made little genetic contribution to Punic settlements in the central and western Mediterranean between the sixth and second centuries bce; instead, the Punic people derived most of their ancestry from a genetic profile similar to that of By Caterina • 4 min read
Papers Unraveling the Celtic Language Diaspora: Insights from Ancient Genomics and the Urnfield Culture Expansion Tracing the Spread of Celtic Languages using Ancient GenomicsCeltic languages, including Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh and Breton, are today restricted to the Northern European Atlantic seaboard. However, between 3 and 2 thousand years before present (BP) Celtic was widely spoken across most of Europe. While often associated with Bell Beaker-related By Caterina • 5 min read
News A Gladiator’s Last Battle: First Physical Evidence of Man vs. Lion in Roman Britain Archaeologists in York have uncovered the first physical evidence of a Roman gladiator killed by a lion, revealing the brutal reality of ancient arena combat far from Rome’s Colosseum. By Caterina • 2 min read
