The Genomic History Of Southeastern Europe
Authors: Mathieson Iain , Roodenberg Songül Alpaslan , Posth Cosimo , Szécsényi-Nagy Anna , Rohland Nadin , Mallick Swapan , Olalde Iñigo , Broomandkhoshbacht Nasreen , Candilio Francesca , Cheronet Olivia , Fernandes Daniel , Ferry Matthew , Gamarra Beatriz , Fortes Gloria González , Haak Wolfgang , Harney Eadaoin , Jones Eppie , Keating Denise , Krause-Kyora Ben , Kucukkalipci Isil , Michel Megan , Mittnik Alissa , Nägele Kathrin , Novak Mario , Oppenheimer Jonas , Patterson Nick , Pfrengle Saskia , Sirak Kendra , Stewardson Kristin , Vai Stefania , Alexandrov Stefan , Alt Kurt W. , Andreescu Radian , Antonović Dragana , Ash Abigail , Atanassova Nadezhda , Bacvarov Krum , Gusztáv Mende Balázs , Bocherens Hervé , Bolus Michael , Boroneanţ Adina , Boyadzhiev Yavor , Budnik Alicja , Burmaz Josip , Chohadzhiev Stefan , Conard Nicholas J. , Cottiaux Richard , Čuka Maja , Cupillard Christophe , Drucker Dorothée G. , Elenski Nedko , Francken Michael , Galabova Borislava , Ganetovski Georgi , Gély Bernard , Hajdu Tamás , Handzhyiska Veneta , Harvati Katerina , Higham Thomas , Iliev Stanislav , Janković Ivor , Karavanić Ivor , Kennett Douglas J. , Komšo Darko , Kozak Alexandra , Labuda Damian , Lari Martina , Lazar Catalin , Leppek Maleen , Leshtakov Krassimir , Vetro Domenico Lo , Los Dženi , Lozanov Ivaylo , Malina Maria , Martini Fabio , McSweeney Kath , Meller Harald , Menđušić Marko , Mirea Pavel , Moiseyev Vyacheslav , Petrova Vanya , Price T. Douglas , Simalcsik Angela , Sineo Luca , Šlaus Mario , Slavchev Vladimir , Stanev Petar , Starović Andrej , Szeniczey Tamás , Talamo Sahra , Teschler-Nicola Maria , Thevenet Corinne , Valchev Ivan , Valentin Frédérique , Vasilyev Sergey , Veljanovska Fanica , Venelinova Svetlana , Veselovskaya Elizaveta , Viola Bence , Virag Cristian , Zaninović Joško , Zäuner Steve , Stockhammer Philipp W. , Catalano Giulio , Krauß Raiko , Caramelli David , Zariņa Gunita , Gaydarska Bisserka , Lillie Malcolm , Nikitin Alexey G. , Potekhina Inna , Papathanasiou Anastasia , Borić Dušan , Bonsall Clive , Krause Johannes , Pinhasi Ron , Reich David 
Published: May 2017

Farming was first introduced to southeastern Europe in the mid-7thmillennium BCE – brought by migrants from Anatolia who settled in the region before spreading throughout Europe. To clarify the dynamics of the interaction between the first farmers and indigenous hunter-gatherers where they first met, we analyze genome-wide ancient DNA data from 223 individuals who lived in southeastern Europe and surrounding regions between 12,000 and 500 BCE. We document previously uncharacterized genetic structure, showing a West-East cline of ancestry in hunter-gatherers, and show that some Aegean farmers had ancestry from a different lineage than the northwestern Anatolian lineage that formed the overwhelming ancestry of other European farmers. We show that the first farmers of northern and western Europe passed through southeastern Europe with limited admixture with local hunter-gatherers, but that some groups mixed extensively, with relatively sex-balanced admixture compared to the male-biased hunter-gatherer admixture that prevailed later in the North and West. Southeastern Europe continued to be a nexus between East and West after farming arrived, with intermittent genetic contact from the Steppe up to 2,000 years before the migration that replaced much of northern Europe’s population.