EAA2021: Abstract
Abstract is part of session #468:
Title & Content
Title:
The late-antique funerary complex of Ittenheim (Alsace, Bas-Rhin). Re-reading of archaeo-anthropological data at the dawn of genomics
Content:
The Ittenheim site "Lotissement du stade" (Bas-Rhin, France) delivered a small Late Antiquity community burial complex consisting of 23 burials, occupied over a short period of time from AD 350 to 430-450. Confined within a small space of 225 m², the funerary ensemble seems to be organised in small groups of tombs separated by empty areas and a few loosely arranged graves. A study of the age and sex composition of the population showed that the mortality profile was compatible with that of natural mortality, with the exception of the total absence of individuals under one year of age.
The way in which burials are laid out in small groups of graves raises questions about the type of recruitment with possible kinship ties (biological or social) between these different individuals.
In order to verify these working hypotheses, a palaeogenomic study was carried out over the entire necropolis. Thanks to the excellent preservation of DNA on this site, it was possible to obtain the complete genome of more than 90% of the individuals. These results enabled us to find family links between individuals within the different groups and partially confirm the hypotheses of family regroupings established by the archaeological studies. However, these analyses also raised new questions, particularly about the origin of these individuals.
The relatively small number of burials on the Ittenheim site and the favourable taphonomic conditions have enabled an almost exhaustive palaeogenetic analysis of this site, making it an exemplary site for comparing genomic and archaeological data at different levels : management of the burial space, geographical origin of the individuals and also the variability of funeral practices within the same family group, chronology of the site...
The way in which burials are laid out in small groups of graves raises questions about the type of recruitment with possible kinship ties (biological or social) between these different individuals.
In order to verify these working hypotheses, a palaeogenomic study was carried out over the entire necropolis. Thanks to the excellent preservation of DNA on this site, it was possible to obtain the complete genome of more than 90% of the individuals. These results enabled us to find family links between individuals within the different groups and partially confirm the hypotheses of family regroupings established by the archaeological studies. However, these analyses also raised new questions, particularly about the origin of these individuals.
The relatively small number of burials on the Ittenheim site and the favourable taphonomic conditions have enabled an almost exhaustive palaeogenetic analysis of this site, making it an exemplary site for comparing genomic and archaeological data at different levels : management of the burial space, geographical origin of the individuals and also the variability of funeral practices within the same family group, chronology of the site...
Keywords:
paleogenomic, Late Antiquity, Kinship analysis, funeral practices
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authors
Main authors:
Melanie Pruvost1
Co-author:
Fanny Mendisco1
Hélène Barrand-Emam2
Fanny Chenal3
Hélène Barrand-Emam2
Fanny Chenal3
Affiliations:
1 Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, UMR5199 PACEA, Allée Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 33600 Pessac
2 ANTEA-Archéologie, UMR 7044, 11 rue de Zurich, 68440 Habsheim
3 Inrap Grand Est, UMR 7044, 10 Rue d'Altkirch, 67100 Strasbourg
2 ANTEA-Archéologie, UMR 7044, 11 rue de Zurich, 68440 Habsheim
3 Inrap Grand Est, UMR 7044, 10 Rue d'Altkirch, 67100 Strasbourg