# Genomic diversity and structure of prehistoric alpine individuals from the Tyrolean Iceman’s territory

## TL;DR

This study analyzes ancient DNA from alpine individuals to show genetic changes and continuity in the Eastern Italian Alps from the Mesolithic to the Bronze Age.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into genetic continuity and admixture events in the Eastern Italian Alps through genomic analysis of 47 prehistoric individuals.

## Key findings

- Mesolithic individuals show genetic admixture between Western and Eastern Hunter-Gatherers.
- Genomic structure of Neolithic individuals resembles that of the Iceman, indicating genetic continuity.
- Steppe-related ancestry appears around 2400 BC, suggesting new admixture events.

## Abstract

The Eastern Italian Alps played a crucial bridging role between Mediterranean and Northern alpine populations since Prehistory. However, few prehistoric individuals from that region have been genomically analysed so far. Among them, the Iceman (Copper Age, 3368-3108 BC) showed a relatively high Anatolian-Neolithic-related ancestry and low Hunter-Gatherers (HGs)-related ancestry. To investigate how the genomic structure of alpine groups varied over time and to contextualize the Iceman, we analysed 47 alpine individuals dated from the Mesolithic (6380-6107 BC) to Middle Bronze Age (1601-1295 BC). The Mesolithic genome reveals genetic admixture between Western and Eastern HGs that occurred from ~13700 − 8300 BC. Most individuals from the Neolithic onwards present a genomic structure resembling that of the Iceman, supporting genetic continuity. Few individuals carry different ancestries, such as the Steppe-related ones appearing ~2400 BC. Finally, the study suggests local and non-local admixture events between HGs and Neolithic farmers from this alpine area.

Here, the authors perform genomic analysis of prehistoric individuals from the Italian Alps, to reveal a genetic shift from the Mesolithic to the Neolithic and genetic continuity from the Neolithic to the Middle Bronze Age.