Europe’s Megalithic Tombs Linked Families Across Far Distances, Including a Father and Son Buried 140 Miles Apart
A recent study revealed that a father and son were buried over 140 miles apart in Neolithic Germany, challenging the notion of isolation during that period. The research, published in Science, analyzed DNA from individuals across six megalithic sites, uncovering family connections that spanned significant distances. This discovery suggests that ancient communities were more interconnected than previously thought, with shared ancestry despite cultural differences.
- ▪Two individuals buried 140 miles apart in Neolithic Germany were found to be father and son.
- ▪The study analyzed DNA from 203 individuals across six megalithic sites, revealing long-distance family ties.
- ▪Researchers identified 123 close biological relationships, indicating that people moved between groups more frequently than assumed.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Two people buried more than 140 miles (225 kilometers) apart in Neolithic Germany turned out to be father and son, despite living in a period imagined as isolated and local.One was buried at a site called Niedertiefenbach. The other, his son, was laid to rest at Sorsum during a time when stone burial monuments known as megaliths appeared across Europe. Until now, researchers had never documented a first-degree family relationship stretching so far across the Neolithic world.The discovery, published in Science, came from a DNA study of 203 individuals buried across six megalithic sites in Germany.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Discover Magazine.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Discover Magazine
