Understanding the Western Europeans' social structure and kinships from the Neolithic era was a previous challenge, but researchers have now been given a clear indication that understood the early relationships of the prehistoric people. In their study of 7,000-year-old DNAs, they found that most relationships were monogamous and had a high fertility rate.
The Neolithic period, also known as the New Stone Age, was considered to be hard to trace because of a lack of evidence, but this study centered on DNA found on human remains that explain more of its past.
European Neolithic DNA Confirms Monogamous Relationships
(Photo : GALI TIBBON/AFP via Getty Images)
A study published yesterday in Nature's Journal gives a deep understanding of the ancient Neolithic period, particularly those who lived in Western Europe during prehistoric times. Initially, this was challenging as the lack of evidence hindered the study, but the recent possession of 7,000-year-old DNA gave a better understanding of early society.
The study confirmed that European Neolithics were monogamous in their relationships and partnerships.
"The absence of half-siblings and the high number of adult full siblings suggest that there were stable health conditions and a supportive social network, facilitating high fertility and low mortality," claimed the authors of the study.
The community lineage was traced through the male line, and according to Interesting Engineering, the study centered on remains from approximately 4,850 to 4,500 B.C., studying as many as 100 individuals buried in Gurgy.
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7,000-Year-Old DNA Helps Learn About Social Structures
Apart from their monogamous relationships, the DNA recovered from the site gave the researchers information on the social structures of those that lived during this era.
It was said that this community only lived on the site for a few decades, and was genetically connected via two main pedigrees that were spread through seven generations. The research paves the way for future studies in learning more about their social structures, residence patterns, and social organizations.
The Neolithic Period, a.k.a. The New Stone Age
Europe's Neolithic period was one of the most iconic early dwellers as they advanced early human civilizations and evolutions by settling into specific locations and starting farming. Of course, there are still those that hunt and forage from the wild, but it is not the main source of nourishment and livelihood before, with different types of people getting along.
People of the Neolithic age are also among the first recorded to improve on their use of tools, already using polished stone to add strength and aesthetic to their craft. Their community was predominant in Western Europe, and it was previously discovered that there are still ancient burial traditions followed, but improved with their use of tools.
As the Neolithic age advanced more of the society for the world, the early people also recognized social structure, kinship, and relationships to be a part of its order. With the recent study on 7,000-year-old DNA, it is now known that European Neolithics were monogamous in their relationships, bringing an understanding to their societies and organizations.
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