The discovery of a 17,000-year-old skeleton in Grotta delle Mura, near Monopoli in Puglia, offered new insights into the genetic history of early human populations in southern Italy. The child, who died at just 16 months of age, is one of the most significant archaeological finds in recent years, particularly because their genome is the oldest ever sequenced in Italy. The study was carried out by Italian and German universities and published in Nature Communications: in it, we gain a fascinating look into the life, health, and genetic ancestry of a young inhabitant of the Paleolithic era, while also uncovering clues about broader patterns of migration and genetic mixing in prehistoric Europe.
The child’s skeletal remains were remarkably well-preserved, largely due to the favorable conditions in the Grotta delle Mura. Discovered in 1998, the remains were found within a karst cave of great archaeological significance due to evidence of human activity dating back tens of thousands of years. The skeleton was found lying supine, partially covered by stones, with no evidence of grave goods or ceremonial burial practices typical of the later Neolithic period. Despite the simplicity of the burial itself, the body’s condition allowed researchers to extract approximately 75% of its genome.
The genetic heritage of Southern Italy’s early populations
The Grotta delle Mura child’s genome shows that he belonged to a population of Western Hunter-Gatherers, a group that occupied much of Europe during the Upper Paleolithic.These populations, as suggested by the genetic markers in the child’s DNA, were characterized by dark skin, dark curly hair, and blue eyes, a combination of traits quite distinct from what we typically associate with modern Europeans. But one of the more striking findings was, without a doubt, the genetic diversity present in the child’s DNA, a clear reflection of the migration and genetic mixing that occurred among different groups of hunter-gatherers during the Paleolithic period. Despite living in southern Italy, the child’s genetic profile showed affinities with populations that lived across Europe, particularly in regions around the Black Sea and the Balkans, which supports the theory that southern Italy acted as a crossroads for various human migrations, a role it would continue to play throughout history.
A life marked by health struggles
The genomic analysis also revealed that the child suffered from a congenital heart condition known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which likely caused his death. This disease leads to a thickening of the heart muscle and can lead to sudden cardiac arrest; it is likely the child inherited it from their parents, who were closely related, probably first cousins. Such close familial relationships were not uncommon among small hunter-gatherer groups, where populations were relatively isolated and interconnections within the group was a necessity for survival. However, the high level of endogamy may have contributed to the prevalence of certain genetic disorders, like the one that affected the Grotta delle Mura child.
In addition to the heart condition, evidence from the child’s teeth suggests that they experienced physiological stress both in the womb and after birth. This stress may have been due to their heart condition, but it could also reflect the challenges of survival in a harsh environment. Analysis of isotopes from the remains also indicates that their mother experienced limited mobility during pregnancy, indicating that the community likely remained in one place for extended periods, perhaps due to environmental conditions or cultural practices.
Migration and genetic continuity in Prehistoric Italy
One of the most significant aspects of this discovery is what it tells us about the migration and population dynamics of early humans in southern Italy. Genetic evidence from the child and other similar finds indicates that the populations in this part of the country at the time were not isolated, but part of a larger network of human groups that migrated across Europe. The child’s genome reveals a mixture of genetic traits from different groups of hunter-gatherers, showing that even in the Upper Paleolithic, there was significant gene flow between populations. It also points to a degree of genetic differentiation between populations in northern and southern Italy, which suggests that while there was significant movement of people across Europe, local populations also began to develop distinct genetic profiles, likely due to the isolation of different groups in response to environmental and geographical barriers.
Echoes of a diverse Italian past
This latest discovery underscores the dynamic and diverse nature of the populations that have inhabited Italy throughout its history. The process began in prehistoric times, as the Paleolithic inhabitants of Italy were part of a much larger web of human interactions, indicating early migrations and genetic mixing. Later, the Etruscans, followed by the Romans, contributed to the region’s genetic diversity. During the Roman Empire, Italy became a melting pot of cultures and peoples from across Europe, North Africa, and the Near East. This genetic diversity persisted into the Middle Ages, when Italy’s central location in the Mediterranean facilitated trade, cultural exchange, and further migrations. Over time, the arrival of groups like the Lombards continued to shape the population. The traces of these ancient peoples are still present in the modern Italian population, which remains one of the most genetically diverse in Europe.
The Grotta delle Mura child provides a rare and invaluable glimpse into the lives of Italy’s earliest inhabitants, with genetic evidence not only telling us about their physical characteristics and health but also offering insights into the broader population dynamics of Europe during the Upper Paleolithic. This young child’s genome is a reminder that Italy’s history of cultural and genetic diversity stretches back millennia, and is a reflection of the country’s long and continuous story of migration, adaptation, and survival.
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