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. 2019 May 15:2:185.
doi: 10.1038/s42003-019-0399-1. eCollection 2019.

Ancient DNA from mastics solidifies connection between material culture and genetics of mesolithic hunter-gatherers in Scandinavia

Natalija Kashuba  1   2 , Emrah Kırdök  3 , Hege Damlien  1 , Mikael A Manninen  1 , Bengt Nordqvist  4 , Per Persson  1 , Anders Götherström  3
Affiliations

Ancient DNA from mastics solidifies connection between material culture and genetics of mesolithic hunter-gatherers in Scandinavia

Natalija Kashuba et al. Commun Biol. .

Abstract

Human demography research in grounded on the information derived from ancient DNA and archaeology. For example, the study on the early postglacial dual-route colonisation of the Scandinavian Peninsula is largely based on associating genomic data with the early dispersal of lithic technology from the East European Plain. However, a clear connection between material culture and genetics has been lacking. Here, we demonstrate that direct connection by analysing human DNA from chewed birch bark pitch mastics. These samples were discovered at Huseby Klev in western Sweden, a Mesolithic site with eastern lithic technology. We generated genome-wide data for three individuals, and show their affinity to the Scandinavian hunter-gatherers. Our samples date to 9880-9540 calBP, expanding the temporal range and distribution of the early Scandinavian genetic group. We propose that DNA from ancient mastics can be used to study environment and ecology of prehistoric populations.

Keywords: Genomics; Population genetics.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The studied material and its origin. a One of the chewing gums from Huseby Klev, (Fynd 2037), with two plastelina casts for each side. The cast to the left captures several teeth imprints from the left side of the maxilla, the one to the right is of the corresponding teeth from the mandible. The presence of the second molar and analysis of tooth wear suggest that the individual, who left these imprints was in the early teens (12–14 years old). Scale bar: 50 mm (photo by Verner Alexandersen). b The location of the sites, genomes from which were used in this study. 1—LaBrana; 2—Loschbour; 3—Bichon; 4—Hummervikholmen; 5—Huseby Klev; 6—Steigen; 7—Motala; 8—Stora Bjers; 9—Stora Förvar; 10—Yuzhnyy Oleni Ostrov; 11—Samara
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Principal component analysis of the Huseby Klev individuals within the diversity of Mesolithic individuals from Europe. The magnified section incaptures BLE individuals’ relation to Western hunter–gatherer (WHG), Eastern hunter–gatherer (EHG) and Scandinavian hunter–gatherer (SHG) individuals (Supplementary Table 7)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Results of relative allele sharing (F4) test between Huseby Klev individuals and ancient population groups (the triangle marks the significant result in deviation from zero). WHG, Western hunter–gatherers; EHG, Eastern hunter–gatherers; SHG, Scandinavian hunter–gatherers
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Admixture analysis showing the major mode for K = 15. The figure represents 11 runs out of 20 replicates (Greedy algorithm ran with the Jaccard distance and a 0.97 similarity threshold). WHG, Western hunter–gatherers; EHG, Eastern hunter–gatherers; SHG, Scandinavian hunter–gatherers
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Operational chains used in the processing of raw materials during composite bone point production. Lithic blades served as inserts and birch bark pitch was used as an adhesive agent. Drawing: Kristina Steen (reproduced with permission from Universitetsforlaget Oslo)
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