Project Details
Projekt
Kinship, descent and phenotype. Genetic composition of middle neolithic populations and its relation to social differentiation 3400-3000cal BC.
Applicant
Dr. Esther Lee, since 7/2010
Subject Area
Prehistory and World Archaeology
Term
from 2009 to 2012
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 128738303
This project intends to link findings about neolithic monumentality in northeen Europe, as part of the cultural identity, with genetic based knowledge of kinship and mobility of neolithic settlers, as part of the social identity. To this end, mitochondrial and chromosomal DNA of 250 individuals, excavated from three different neolithic collective burial places in northern central Europe, will be analyzed. The obtained data will provide information about kinship, generic composition and regional origin of the neolithic settlers. The main goal of the project is the reconstruction of kinship within the single chambered tombs and among the three sites, in order to draw conclusions about the ritual burial patterns of ancient neolithic populations and their composition. This information will - in context with results from other projects in the Priority Program - permit detailed insights into the social and cultural structure of neolithic communities. For instance, it can help to answer the question to what extent authority is based on birth rather than on knowledge and can thus make a considerable contribution to the subject of social differentiation. Furthermore, a system for the analysis of phenotype-associated generic markers will be designed and applied on the neolithic individuals. This approach may not only yield information about the looks of our ancestors, but also about possible demographic changes during the Neolithic.
DFG Programme
Priority Programmes
Participating Persons
Professorin Dr. Almut Nebel; Privatdozentin Dr. Nicole von Wurmb-Schwark
Ehemalige Antragstellerin
Dr. Rebecca Renneberg, until 10/2010
