Hervella M, Izagirre N, Alonso S, Fregel R, Alonso A, Cabrera VM, de la Rúa C. Ancient DNA from hunter-gatherer and farmer groups from Northern Spain supports a random dispersion model for the Neolithic expansion into Europe.
PLoS One 2012;
7:e34417. [PMID:
22563371 PMCID:
PMC3340892 DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0034417]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2011] [Accepted: 02/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/Principal Findings
The phenomenon of Neolithisation refers to the transition of prehistoric
populations from a hunter-gatherer to an agro-pastoralist lifestyle.
Traditionally, the spread of an agro-pastoralist economy into Europe has
been framed within a dichotomy based either on an acculturation phenomenon
or on a demic diffusion. However, the nature and speed of this transition is
a matter of continuing scientific debate in archaeology, anthropology, and
human population genetics. In the present study, we have analyzed the
mitochondrial DNA diversity in hunter-gatherers and first farmers from
Northern Spain, in relation to the debate surrounding the phenomenon of
Neolithisation in Europe.
Methodology/Significance
Analysis of mitochondrial DNA was carried out on 54 individuals from Upper
Paleolithic and Early Neolithic, which were recovered from nine
archaeological sites from Northern Spain (Basque Country, Navarre and
Cantabria). In addition, to take all necessary precautions to avoid
contamination, different authentication criteria were applied in this study,
including: DNA quantification, cloning, duplication (51% of the
samples) and replication of the results (43% of the samples) by two
independent laboratories. Statistical and multivariate analyses of the
mitochondrial variability suggest that the genetic influence of
Neolithisation did not spread uniformly throughout Europe, producing
heterogeneous genetic consequences in different geographical regions,
rejecting the traditional models that explain the Neolithisation in
Europe.
Conclusion
The differences detected in the mitochondrial DNA lineages of Neolithic
groups studied so far (including these ones of this study) suggest different
genetic impact of Neolithic in Central Europe, Mediterranean Europe and the
Cantabrian fringe. The genetic data obtained in this study provide support
for a random dispersion model for Neolithic farmers. This random dispersion
had a different impact on the various geographic regions, and thus
contradicts the more simplistic total acculturation and replacement models
proposed so far to explain Neolithisation.
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