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In ancient Ireland, around 5,000 years ago, the notion that an incestuous social elite ruled over the people was questioned by new research. The study examined DNA evidence from burials at Newgrange, a prehistoric monument, which previously led to speculation about a ruling class or royal family being buried there.

Researchers analyzed a bone skull fragment found in the chamber and discovered that it belonged to an individual who was likely born of incestuous relationships, but also distantly related to others buried in the same tomb. This finding suggested that only certain individuals were buried in the chamber, implying they held special positions in society.

However, researchers from the University of York and University College Dublin have now shown that there is no evidence of an elite class existing economically or socially among nearby settlements, dietary practices, or trade. They believe that ancient Irish society was more equal, as evidenced by shared resources, similar dwellings, and a lack of large settlement systems or trade mechanisms.

Professor Penny Bickle stated, “The evidence points to a much more collective ethos.” She added, “We can only begin to understand these monuments and tombs if we examine the social lives or the communities that built and used them.”

Newgrange is an ancient monument older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Giza, believed to have been built by a farming community in County Meath. The original burial place of the skull fragment, NG10, dated to 3340-3020 BC, was questioned, as its genetic clustering typically reflects distant biological relationships rather than close familial ties.

Associate Professor Jessica Smyth noted that people were selected for burial in passage tombs, but the reasons behind this selection are unknown. She also mentioned that bodies were broken down and mixed with cremated remains before being placed in megalithic monuments, making it unclear who the parents of certain individuals might have been.

Professor Penny Bickle concluded, “It is by no means clear that the monument was the first burial site of NG10.” She added, “As it stands, the incestuous origins of NG10 are a one-off compared to all of the DNA data we have for Neolithic Ireland.”

The research, published in Antiquity, suggests that ancient Irish society might have been more inclusive and equal than previously thought.

A new study by a team of anthropologists has shed light on the mysterious migration routes of Neanderthals across Eurasia. Using computer simulations, researchers Emily Coco and Radu Iovita have created a map of possible pathways that suggest these ancient humans traveled approximately 2,000 miles (3,250 km) in less than 2,000 years.

The study reveals that Neanderthals likely used river valleys as natural highways to traverse the vast distances between Eastern Europe and Central Eurasia. The researchers considered factors such as terrain elevation, reconstructed ancient rivers, glacial barriers, and temperature when modeling the movement decisions of individual Neanderthals.

Two ancient periods were identified as prime migration windows: Marine Isotope Stage 5e (MIS 5e), beginning approximately 125,000 years ago, and Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS 3), starting around 60,000 years ago. Both periods featured warmer temperatures, making it easier for Neanderthals to move across the landscape.

Computer simulations conducted on the NYU Greene Supercomputer Cluster indicated that Neanderthals could have reached the Siberian Altai Mountains within 2,000 years during either MIS 5e or MIS 3 by following multiple possible routes. These routes often intersected with known archaeological sites from the same time periods, providing a tangible link to the past.

The study provides important insights into Neanderthal interactions with other ancient human groups. The researchers note that their migration routes would have taken them into areas already occupied by Denisovans, consistent with existing evidence of interbreeding between the two species.

According to Iovita, “Neanderthals could have migrated thousands of kilometers from the Caucasus Mountains to Siberia in just 2,000 years by following river corridors.” This finding highlights the adaptability and resilience of these ancient humans, who were able to navigate challenging landscapes and establish themselves across vast distances.

The Dartmouth-led study has made a groundbreaking discovery in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, uncovering a 1,000-year-old Native American farm system that challenges preconceived ideas about agriculture in the region. The Sixty Islands archaeological site along the Menominee River features a raised ridge field system dating back to around the 10th century to 1600. This is the most complete ancient agricultural site in the eastern half of the United States.

The researchers surveyed approximately 330 acres using drone-based lidar, which provided a dataset that revealed clusters of ridged garden beds ranging from 4 to 12 inches in height. These raised fields were used by ancestors of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin to grow corn, beans, squash, and other plants.

Lead author Madeleine McLeester noted that the scale of this agricultural system is 10 times larger than previously estimated, forcing a reconsideration of preconceived ideas about agriculture in the region and globally. The team’s findings also suggest that the ancestral Menominee communities were modifying the soil to rework the topography, using wetland soils to enrich the soil and remain from fires as compost.

The researchers conducted excavations at the site, recovering charcoal, broken ceramics, and artifacts, which suggested that remains from fires and household refuse were likely used as compost in the fields. The results showed that the farming system was a massive undertaking requiring organization, labor, and know-how to maximize agricultural productivity.

The findings have significant implications for our understanding of ancient agriculture in eastern North America and challenge existing forest history of the Upper Peninsula. The team is continuing their work with the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin at the Menominee Sixty Islands site, planning to survey the site and locate ancestral Menominee villages.

This study demonstrates the importance of innovative technologies like drone-based lidar in uncovering hidden archaeological features and provides a unique window into pre-Colonial farming practices in the region. The discovery of this 1,000-year-old farm system serves as a reminder of the rich history and cultural heritage of the Native American communities that once thrived in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.