EAA2021: Abstract

In recent years, archaeogenetics has progressed from continent-wide, broad-scale studies to more targeted and detailed investigations of smaller regions and even single sites and communities. Through the combination of archaeology, anthropology, paleopathology, isotopes, 14C dating and genetics, it is now possible to gain insights into biological kinship structures of local communities and family networks, both within and between sites. Here we present the results and interpretations of the first detailed interdisciplinary analyses of the rich Early Bronze Age Únětice cemetery in Mikulovice, Eastern Bohemia, Czech Republic. Thanks to rich grave assemblages of the cemetery (e.g. large collections of amber jewellery, bronze and gold artefacts, sea shells, bone artefacts etc.), which were completely analysed and published during the last years, it is also possible to integrate the results of archaeological, bioarchaeological and isotopic research into the more complex picture of the Early Bronze Age local community living and buried on the important long-distance road - the Amber Road.

Early Bronze Age, Cemetery, Genetics, Archaeology, 14C

 Abstract (PDF)

Michal Ernée¹

Luka Papac²
Michaela Langová³
Ken Massy⁴
Ronny Friedrich⁵
Wolfgang Haak²