Steppe Ancestry in Western Eurasia and the Spread of the Germanic Languages
Authors: McColl Hugh , Kroonen Guus , Víctor Moreno-Mayar J. , Seersholm Frederik Valeur , Scorrano Gabriele , Pinotti Thomaz , Vimala Tharsika , Sindbæk Søren M. , Ethelberg Per , Fyfe Ralph , Gaillard Marie-José , Ellegård Larsen Hanne M. , Mortensen Morten Fischer , Demeter Fabrice , Jørkov Marie Louise S. , Bergerbrant Sophie , Damgaard Peter de Barros , Allentoft Morten E. , Vinner Lasse , Gaunitz Charleen , Ramsøe Abigail , Altinkaya Isin , Henriksen Rasmus Amund , Irving-Pease Evan K. , Sjögren KG , Sabatini Serena , Fischer Anders , Barrie William , Ingason Andrés , Rosengren Anders , Vaughn Andrew , Cao Jialu , Staring Jacqueline , Stenderup Jesper , Yediay Fulya Eylem , Ahlström Torbjörn , Akhvlediani Irakli , Albris Sofie Laurine , Atabiev Biyaslan , Balanovskaya E.V. , Bangsgaard Pernille , Belcastro Maria Giovanna , Card Nick , Charlier Philippe , Chernykh Elizaveta , Christiansen Torben Trier , Coppa Alfredo , De Coster Maura , Denham Sean Dexter , Desenne Sophie , Downes Jane , Frei Karin Margarita , Gábor Olivér , Gadiev U.B. , Gårdsvoll Johan Zakarias , Glørstad Zanette Tsigaridas , Hansen Jesper , Heeren Stijn , Henriksen Merete , Heyd Volker , Høj Mette , Holst Mads Kähler , Jankauskas Rimantas , Janson Henrik , Jessen Mads Dengsø , Johannsen Jens Winther , Johansen Torkel , Kastholm Ole Thirup , Kern♰ Anton , Khaskhanov Ruslan , Kjær Katrine Ipsen , Kolosov Vladimir , Kootker Lisette M. , Kyselicová Klaudia , Larsen Anne Christine , Lejars Thierry , Løvschal Mette , Lynnerup Niels , Magnusson Yvonne , Malashev V. Yu. , Mannermaa Kristiina , Masyakin Vyacheslav , Melheim Anne Lene , Merkyte Inga , Moiseyev Vyacheslav , Møller Stig Bergmann , Molnár Erika , Mortensen Nadja , Murphy Eileen , Nielsen Bjarne Henning , Pany-Kucera Doris , Paulsson Bettina Schulz , Plets Gertjan , Ponce de León Marcia S , Reiersen Håkon , Reinhard Walter , Sajantila Antti , Skar Birgitte , Slavchev Vladimir , Smrčka Václav , Sørensen Lasse , Tiefengraber Georg , Uldum Otto Christian , Vandkilde Helle , Vega Jorge , Vitali Daniele , Voloshinov Alexey , Wåhlin Sidsel , Wendling Holger , Wessman Anna , Wilhelmson Helene , Wiltschke Karin , Zilhão João , Zollikofer Christoph PE , Sand Korneliussen Thorfinn , Chaume Bruno , Demoule Jean-Paul , Werge Thomas , Olsen Line , Nielsen Rasmus , Hedeager Lotte , Kristiansen Kristian , Sikora Martin , Willerslev Eske 
Published: March 2024

Today, Germanic languages, including German, English, Frisian, Dutch and the Nordic languages, are widely spoken in northwest Europe. However, key aspects of the assumed arrival and diversification of this linguistic group remain contentious1–3. By adding 712 new ancient human genomes we find an archaeologically elusive population entering Sweden from the Baltic region by around 4000 BP. This population became widespread throughout Scandinavia by 3500 BP, matching the contemporaneous distribution of Palaeo-Germanic, the Bronze Age predecessor of Proto-Germanic4–6. These Baltic immigrants thus offer a new potential vector for the first Germanic speakers to arrive in Scandinavia, some 800 years later than traditionally assumed7–12. Following the disintegration of Proto-Germanic13–16, we find by 1650 BP a southward push from Southern Scandinavia into presumed Celtic-speaking areas, including Germany, Poland and the Netherlands. During the Migration Period (1575–1375 BP), we see this ancestry representing West Germanic Anglo-Saxons in Britain, and Langobards in southern Europe. We find a related large-scale northward migration into Denmark and South Sweden corresponding with historically attested Danes and the expansion of Old Norse. These movements have direct implications for multiple linguistic hypotheses. Our findings show the power of combining genomics with historical linguistics and archaeology in creating a unified, integrated model for the emergence, spread and diversification of a linguistic group.