The Anglo-Saxon migration and the formation of the early English gene pool - Nature

Archaeogenetic study of ancient DNA from medieval northwestern Europeans reveals substantial increase of continental northern European ancestry in Britain, suggesting mass migration across the North Sea during the Early Middle Ages.

NatureJoscha Gretzinger

Archaeological Insights

Introduction

The rich tapestry of Early Medieval England is brought to life through the fascinating study of ancient DNA, illuminating the diverse genetic makeup and migration patterns of its peoples. This genomic exploration has transformed our understanding of the Anglo-Saxon migrations, providing valuable narratives on early medieval societies' structure and cross-continental interactions.

Key Archaeological Sites

Apple Down, Chichester, West Sussex

Unearthed in the early 1980s, Apple Down offers a compelling example of diversity in burial customs, showcasing both cremation and inhumation practices. The cemetery contains 185 burials with varying orientations (north-south and east-west), suggesting different coexisting groups or communities in early medieval Sussex. DNA analysis linked individuals to Continental Northern European (CNE) and Western British Isles (WBI) ancestry.

Dover Buckland, Dover, Kent

First excavated in the 1950s, Dover Buckland comprises over 500 inhumation graves and has become a landmark site for understanding Anglo-Saxon migration. The site is notable for its:

• Male burials with weaponry, reflecting a martial elite
• Diverse dress styles indicating cultural variations
• Female burials containing martial emblems, suggesting complex gender dynamics
• Exceptional cases where genetic analysis revealed discrepancies between biological sex and associated grave goods, challenging traditional interpretations of gender roles

West Heslerton, North Yorkshire

This significant site contains over 200 graves revealing complex burial organization that suggests social stratification. The cemetery features:

• Burial arrangements associated with prehistoric monuments
• Familial clusters linked with ancient mounds
• Evidence of community structures intricately woven into the landscape's ancient lineage
• DNA evidence connecting individuals to CNE ancestry

Polhill, Maidstone District, Kent

Known since the 19th century, this site's grave goods include imported Frankish and Byzantine artifacts, indicating extensive trade networks. DNA results align these individuals closely with contemporaneous populations in continental Europe.

Eastry Updown, Dover District, Kent

The Eastry site, posited as a crucial center in medieval Kent, delights with its rich deposits of jewelry and imported artifacts, including a Byzantine buckle and amethyst beads. Such finds reveal its connections beyond the Isles, serving as evidence of early global interactions, while the recovered grave goods bolster our understanding of Anglo-Saxon material culture and external influences. Eastry Updown is a treasure trove of imported artifacts, including Byzantine buckles and Frankish items, indicating extensive continental connections.

RAF Lakenheath, Eriswell Parish, Suffolk

Bound within the confines of a military airbase, this site surprises with its discrete burial grounds and varied grave configurations that hint at a complex societal structure. The discovery of one early grave of an adult female, ostensibly Danish, broadens our perspective on Anglo-Saxon immigration, revealing a tapestry of regional diversity and movement across the North Sea. The presence of an early Scandinavian female, detectable through isotopic analyses, enriches our understanding of trans-North Sea movements. Burials here underscore the diverse familial legacies established through migration and integration.

Lincoln Castle, Lincoln, Lincolnshire

The excavation at Lincoln Castle paints a picture of a community closely tied with religious and possibly royal duties, as suggested by a church or chapel amidst the burial sites. The graves, dating to just before the Norman Conquest, hold stories of individuals from various lands, as indicated by isotope analyses suggesting both local and foreign origins.

Hartlepool, Olive Street, Hartlepool

This accidental discovery of human remains speaks to the woven tapestry of ancient lives, revealing a glimpse into a large pre-conquest cemetery. The unearthed burial grounds and scattered bones tell tales of their own, reviving lost voices from between the 7th and 10th centuries.

Fox Holes Cave, Clapdale, North Yorkshire

While initially thought to be Neolithic, Fox Holes Cave astounded researchers with its early medieval remains, dating back to 655-774 CE. Such unexpected chronologies urge us to reassess the continuity between past eras, revealing layers of human history previously concealed beneath Yorkshire's serene cliffs.

Rookery Hill, Bishopstone, East Sussex

This site illustrates a deeply intertwined genetic mosaic, reflective of broader migrations across the North Sea. Differences in burial customs here suggest a nuanced coexistence of native traditions and newly introduced continental influences.

Genetic Insights

Continental Connections

The genetic analyses reveal a narrative of convergence and divergence across medieval England:

• Strong presence of Continental Northern European (CNE) ancestry across multiple sites
• Notable contributions from Scandinavian and Continental Western European sources
• Specific affinities with populations in Lower Saxony and Denmark
• Evidence that the Anglo-Saxon transformation in England was less an invasion and more an intricate web of kinship and migration

Sex Bias and Population Genetics

Research on sex-biased ancestry from uniparental markers reveals:

• Early medieval males and females shared similar levels of continental northern European (CNE) ancestry
• No significant sex-based differentiation in genetic ancestry was detected
• Complex gender dynamics that don't always align with traditional archaeological interpretations

Scandinavian Influence

While the role of Scandinavian ancestry during the Viking Age looms large in historical imagination:

• Substantial Scandinavian ancestry was already present prior to the Viking incursions
• The genetic footprints of Vikings in medieval England appear fainter than previously thought
• Regional variations exist, with larger contributions of Scandinavian ancestry noted in areas like East Anglia

Historical Implications

These findings invite us to reconsider our understanding of early medieval England:

• The genetic and archaeological data tell a story not of isolated invasions, but of continuous genetic and cultural flows
• Early medieval grave sites reflect broader socio-political climates and interconnections
• The diverse burial practices and genetic profiles suggest a vibrant, interconnected Europe
• People, ideas, and cultures flowed across once-perceived rigid boundaries
• The intricate web of relationships stretched from Britain across to Scandinavian and Frankish lands

The examination of kings and commoners alike shows us not just who they were, but the worlds they inhabited and the myriad paths they walked to what would become England.