Abstract
During the Late Iron Age (LIA, 4th-1st centuries BCE), various human groups associated with the La Tène archaeological material culture, were involved in migration processes and settled in the Italian Peninsula after crossing the Alps. While the current knowledge of these people relies on osteological, isotopic, archaeological, and historical evidence, the genetic history of these groups from both north and south of the Alps remains unexplored.
Our paleogenomic study seeks to investigate whether the shared cultural features of LIA people from north (Switzerland, SWI) and south (Northern Italy, NI) of the Alps are reflected in their genomes. Moreover, it aims to study the genetic relationships between these two groups and other ancient individuals and present-day populations from Europe.
The molecular analyses (shotgun and nuclear capture data – approx. 1.3 mio SNPs) focused on 194 individuals from 13 LIA archaeological contexts in SWI (N = 98) and NI (N = 96). We determine the genetic sex of most (89.69 %) individuals, resulting in 98 XX and 78 XY. Moreover, 19 biologically related groups within distinct archeological sites were detected.
Comparative analyses unveiled genetic similarities between the two studied LIA groups. Additionally, their genomic diversity overlaps with that of present-day populations from western and south-western Europe. These results suggest a genetic, besides cultural, affinity in the two LIA groups. Finally, the high genetic diversity found in the studied groups and their genetic affinity with published LIA groups from Europe underscore a high degree of mobility during the LIA across Europe.