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Post by Admin on Sept 3, 2021 6:26:02 GMT
Radiocarbon dating
In this study we report 230 radiocarbon data in total from 197 skeletons found in 178 graves or settlement
sunken features. We include previously published (n=90) as well as new data (n=140) generated in 12
different radiocarbon laboratories (Table S6):
• Curt-Engelholm-Zentrum Archaeometrie (MAMS) – 116
• Pensylvania State University (PSUAMS) – 39
• Czech Radiocarbon Laboratory (CRL) – 32
• Leibnitz-Labor Kiel (KIA) – 11 and (KI) – 3
• Centre for Climate, the Enviroment and Chronology, Queen´s University of Belfast (UBA) –
10
• Utrecht van de Graaff Laboratorium (UtC) – 6
• Centre for Applied Isotope Studies, The University of Georgia (UGAMS) – 5
• Centre for Isotope Research, University of Groningen (GrN) – 3
• Poznań Radiocarbon Laboratory (Poz) – 3
• Bristol Radiocarbon Accelerator Mass Spectrometer (BRAMS) – 1
• Berlin (Bln) – 1
The 197 dated skeletons date to the Neolithic (n=5), preCW Eneolithic (n=33), CW (n=51), BB (n=37) and
the EBA (n=71; 32 of them to the early and 39 to the late/classical stage of the Únětice culture). For Řivnáč,
GAC, CW, BB and both stages of the EBA Únětice culture (AK1 and AK2) the 14C data were modelled
to create time-intervals of duration of these cultural phenomena (Fig. S8).
In Table S6 we have collated all available 14C data relevant to individuals/graves represented in this study,
including from human bones (n=220), animal bones (n=9) macro remains (n=1), and older (no AMS) as
well as newer ones (AMS). For the sake of completeness, we also list samples that contained low ratios or
no collagen (n=5), and one sample which was lost during the procedure. Table S6 also includes all
supporting data such as δ13C, C:N, C /%/, collagen /%/ and bone specifications where available.
In cases where dates from human and animal bones were available from the same grave, we used the date
from human bones. Where both AMS and no-AMS data were available from the same skeleton, we used
the AMS date. Dates that were not used (from animal bones or no-AMS data) are highlighted in grey. These
were only taken into consideration when it was the only available data from the individual grave/skeleton.
Where more than one AMS date from the same skeleton was available, we used the modelled mean value.
On the basis of the new results, we briefly comment on dates from three graves:
21. Makotřasy, settlement pit 51/61. From this settlement feature three 14C data were produced, one from
human bone (PSUAMS-4404, 4228–3988 2-sigma cal BCE) and two earlier non-AMS dates from animal
bones (GrN-6928, 3623–2926 2sigma cal BCE; GrN-6929, 3635–3371 2-sigma cal BCE). The date from
the human bone is significantly older than both earlier dates from animal bones. Although the dates from
both animal bones would fit much better to the finds from the pit filling and also compared with the data
from other skeletons from this site, we accept here the direct date from the human bones.
24. Obříství, grave 1. In grave 1 a female and a newborn child were buried (based on aDNA kinship analyses
a first-degree mother/child relationship). Based on the first AMS dates of both individuals (MAMS-30794
– 4276 ±22 BP and MAMS-38471 – 3941 ±25 BP), the date from the newborn was significantly younger
than the date from the mother (interval of 335 years BP) and the calibrated 2-sigma intervals showed no
overlap (Fig. S9: green). Hence, we commissioned additional dates from both skeletons, in this case directly
from the both petrous bones, from where aDNA was sampled, which documented the first-degree
relatedness between both. However, also the second series of dates (MAMS-41363 and MAMS-41364)
showed no overlap of the 2-sigma intervals (Fig. S9: orange). In this case the date from the newborn (3861
±34 BP) was also younger than the date from the mother (4064 ±23 BP). For each skeleton we have
modelled the mean value of both 14C data. The resulting 2-sigma intervals for the mother (2881–2674 cal
BCE) and the child (2469–2305 cal BCE) show also no overlap. The fifth 14C AMS date was produced
from a decorated bone disc found with the mother (BRAMS-2959) and shows a 2-sigma interval of 2617–
2467 cal BCE. At this stage, we have not reached a final interpretation of the 14C data from this grave
complex other than an in-depth evaluation of all lines of evidence will be necessary, especially since both
dates from the mother (MAMS-30794 and MAMS-41363) have failed a chi-squared test with a less than
5% chance this being a good combination.
44.2. Vliněves, grave 5790. The first 14C wider date (CRL-9201; 2861–2148 2-sigma cal BCE) was not
generated with AMS. The newly created AMS (MAMS-41359; 2286–2138 2-sigma cal BCE) results dating
to the EBA is considered too young/late in our opinion, as the grave is more in line with the CW period
according to position of the body and the grave goods (upper part of big amphora). Thus, a third sample
was taken directly from the petrous bone, which was sampled for aDNA. This produced a date (MAMS46362; 2473–2311 2sigma cal BC), which is in line with the archaeological context and the genetic results.
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Post by Admin on Sept 3, 2021 22:31:24 GMT
Detailed site descriptions and anthropological information
1. Bílina, Titzler sandpit (Bílina, Teplice district, NW-Bohemia, Czech Republic)
Published in (61)
The site was being destroyed by sand pitting for a long time and a large number of graves from the
Eneolithic up to the Early Middle Ages have been documented. However, many other graves have been
destroyed without any evidence. Eneolithic graves were mostly uncovered at the beginning of the 20th
century, when little attention was usually paid to anthropological material; therefore, any human remains
rarely appeared in museum collections (118). The original number of Eneolithic graves on this site can be
estimated at several dozen (119).
Grave from 1903. The skeleton was delivered along with three vessels belonging to the middle or late stage
of the Corded Ware culture; the dating of skeletal material is, therefore, not very reliable. Only the skull
has been preserved. Sex: archaeology – ?, anthropology – ?, aDNA – F. Age: adultus (30–40?). Grave
goods: amphora, jug, small pot (potentially, there might have been more vessels). Archaeological dating:
Corded Ware culture, middle/late stage. Radiocarbon dating: not available (61, 118, 119). Master ID and/or
other aDNA signs: I6695, BILI_139. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A 7564.
Grave from 1910. Two skeletons in crouched(?) position – a man and a woman – lying probably in a grave
next to each other, in east-west orientation. Only the male skeleton (I6677; P7A 7558) has been analysed.
Sex: archaeology – ?, anthropology – M, aDNA – M. Age: adultus II – maturus I (30–50). Grave goods:
decorated amphora. Archaeological dating: Funnel Beaker culture (late Baalberge). Radiocarbon dating:
not available(61, 118, 120). Master ID and/or other aDNA signs: I6677, BILI_4. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A
7558.
2. Blšany (Blšany u Loun, Louny district, NW Bohemia, Czech Republic)
Contact persons: Miroslav Dobeš, Petr Velemínský
An inhumation burial was investigated in the wall of the sandpit in 1957 (J. Šimůnek). The grave was
entirely preserved; only its northern part was slightly disturbed by mining activities. In addition to the grave
goods described below, the grave fill contained finds of settlement character (potsherds, animal bones,
fragment of grinder stones, etc.), too. Among them, pottery of the Globular Amphora culture was identified.
Although the skeleton originally identified as an adult male (see (121), based on skull traits), pelvic traits
identified by modern investigation suggest it probably belongs to a female individual (P. Velemínský) which
is consistent with the results of the aDNA analysis. The grave was published in full in (122, 123).
Grave 1. Grave with two burials
Skeleton 1: right-sided crouched burial, head towards the north. Sex: archaeology – ?, anthropology – F?,
aDNA – F. Age: adult (20–40?). Grave goods: two-handled amphora, four-handled amphora, cup, pot,
fragments of other vessels. Archaeological dating: Globular Amphora culture, western group. Radiocarbon
dating: MAMS-41369 (4126±24) 2865–2583 cal BC 2-sigma (121-123). Pandora No.: BLS001. NM
Prague Inv. No.: P7A 31831A.
Skeleton 2: left-sided crouched(?) burial, head towards the north. Sex: archaeology – ?, anthropology – ?,
aDNA – F. Age: fetus or newborn. Grave goods: see skeleton 1. Archaeological dating: Globular Amphora
culture, western group. Radiocarbon dating: MAMS-41370 (4141±22) 2871–2627 cal BC 2-sigma (121-
123). Pandora No.: BLS002. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A 31831B.
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Post by Admin on Sept 4, 2021 20:46:17 GMT
3. Brandýs nad Labem (Brandýs nad Labem – Vrábí, Prague-East district, central Bohemia, Czech
Republic)
Contact persons: Michaela Langová, Alžběta Danielisová, Petra Stránská
The enclosed Early Bronze Age (BA2) settlement site in Brandýs nad Labem - Vrábí has been excavated
by A. Danielisová, M. Pecinovská, K. Čuláková and D. Malyková (Institute of Archaeology of the Czech
Academy of Sciences, Prague) between the years 2007 and 2016. Within the enclosed area, A. Danielisová
uncovered an Early Únětice culture cemetery (BA1) in 2007. It contained multiple graves (33 skeletons in
13 graves), clearly earlier than the enclosure itself. Additional, isolated graves were spread over the site,
along with some “irregular” burials in settlement pits. Ten individuals from two Early Únětice graves (nos.
63 and 76), two individuals from a tumulus (No. 690) and one individual from a settlement pit (No. 798)
were analysed for aDNA. The cemetery, as well as the settlement, were analysed by M. Langová (124, 125)
and already partly published (101, 126, 127).
Grave 63. Grave pit with four skeletons. Two child skeletons in crouched position (skeletons 3 and 4),
apparently related, were found in a niche in the western part of the grave. A coincidental superposition of
two independent graves cannot be ruled out.
Skeleton 1. Skeleton (upper): right-sided crouched burial, head towards the south. Sex: anthropology – F?,
aDNA – F. Age: adultus I (20–35). Grave goods: two vessels (which could also belong to skeleton 2) – a
cup with fringe decoration and a small jug; two animal bones (scapulae). Archaeological dating: Early
Únětice culture (BA1). Radiocarbon dating: MAMS-30775 (3677±21) 2137–1980 cal BC 2-sigma (124).
Pandora No.: BNL001. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A 42041.
Skeleton 2. Skeleton (lower): crouched position, partly disrupted, head towards the south. Sex:
anthropology – F?, aDNA – M. Age: adultus II (30-40). Grave goods: see skeleton 1. Archaeological dating:
Early Únětice culture (BA1). Radiocarbon dating: not available (124). Pandora No.: BNL002. NM Prague
Inv. No.: P7A 42042.
Skeleton 3. Skeleton: left-sided crouched burial, head towards the south, incompletely preserved. Sex:
anthropology – child, aDNA – M. Age: infans (1.5). Grave goods: no finds. Archaeological dating: Early
Únětice culture (BA1). Radiocarbon dating: MAMS-30776 (3661±24) 2135–1955 cal BC 2-sigma (124).
Pandora No.: BNL003. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A 42043.
Skeleton 4. Skeleton: crouched burial, head towards the south, incompletely preserved. Sex: anthropology
– child, aDNA – M. Age: infans (7.5–9.5). Grave goods: no finds. Archaeological dating: Early Únětice
culture (BA1). Radiocarbon dating: not available (124). Pandora No.: BNL004. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A
42044.
Grave 76/204. Situated (in a superposition?) in (above?) the middle of a settlement pit (No. 76). Three
people were gradually deposited here. Skeletons 2 and 3 were buried below skeleton 1. According to the
find context, the original presence of a coffin or organic box is highly probable.
Skeleton 1. Skeleton (upper): right-sided crouched burial, head towards the south. Sex: anthropology –
juvenis, aDNA – F. Age: juvenis (17±2). Grave goods: an undecorated cup. Archaeological dating: Early
Únětice culture (BA1). Radiocarbon dating: MAMS-30777 (3738±23) 2206-2038 cal BC 2-sigma (124).
Pandora No.: BNL005. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A 42146/1.
Skeleton 2. Skeleton: below skeleton 1, in a non-anatomical position. Sex: anthropology – M, aDNA – M.
Age: adultus II – maturus I (30–45). Grave goods: no finds. Archaeological dating: Early Únětice culture
(BA1). Radiocarbon dating: not available (124). Pandora No.: BNL006. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A 42146/2.
Skeleton 3. Skeleton: below skeleton 1, in a non-anatomical position. Sex: anthropology – M, aDNA – M.
Age: maturus II (40–50). Grave goods: no grave goods. Archaeological dating: Early Únětice culture
(BA1). Radiocarbon dating: not available (124). Pandora No.: BNL007. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A 42146/3.
Grave 690. The settlement pit, secondarily enlarged and used for burying. It contained two skeletons in
crouched position on their right side, heads towards the south. Skeleton 1 was situated above skeleton 2,
separated by ca. 0.4 m of grave fill. Due to a circle of massive stones situated around the pit, the whole
feature was originally reported as a tumulus.
Skeleton 1. Skeleton (upper): right-sided crouched burial, head towards the south. Sex: anthropology –
child, aDNA – F. Age: infans (11–13). Grave goods: a simple bronze temple ring, the front right paw of a
dog. Archaeological dating: Late Únětice culture (BA2). Radiocarbon dating: MAMS-30778 (3615±26)
2035–1896 cal BC 2-sigma; CRL-11260 (3716±83) 2432–1891 cal BC 2-sigma; CRL-11194 (3540±112)
2201–1614 cal BC 2-sigma (101, 124, 126, 127). Pandora No.: BNL008. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A
42153/1.
Skeleton 2. Skeleton: right-sided crouched burial, head towards the south. Sex: anthropology – M, aDNA
– M. Age: adultus II – maturus I (35–50). Grave goods: deep bowl with a horizontal handle. Archaeological
dating: Late Únětice culture (BA2). Radiocarbon dating: MAMS-30779 (3649±24) 2132–1944 cal BC 2-
sigma. Radiocarbon date from macroremains – Poz-47314 (3640±35) 2135–1912 cal BC 2-sigma (101,
124, 126, 127). Pandora No.: BNL009. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A 42153/2.
Grave 798. A skeleton in a non-standard position in the settlement pit. The right arm of the skeleton was
cut off and the leg was disjointed. Sex: anthropology – F, aDNA – F. Age: adultus I (20–30). Grave goods:
No grave goods related to the skeleton, numerous potsherds in the fill of the pit. Archaeological dating:
Late Únětice culture (BA2). Radiocarbon dating: MAMS-30780 (3505±25) 1897–1749 cal BC 2-sigma.
Literature (124, 126, 127). Pandora No.: BNL010. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A 42155.
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Post by Admin on Sept 5, 2021 4:34:47 GMT
4. Brandýsek (Brandýsek, Kladno district, central Bohemia, Czech Republic)
Published in (5)
The Eneolithic cemetery in the sandpit of Brandýsek was excavated by O. Kytlicová in 1955–1958. Before
this excavation, many graves were destroyed by sand pitting, the known cemetery
complete. According to Kytlicová, about one half of the graves were preserved. In addition to a Neolithic
settlement, Roman Iron Age cemetery and medieval graves, the excavation area of roughly 0.15 ha revealed
at least two inhumation graves of the Funnel Beaker culture (one analysed by aDNA), 5–6 inhumation
graves of the Corded Ware culture (two analysed) and 22 inhumation graves of the Bell Beaker culture (9
burials from 8 inhumation graves analysed). The Eneolithic cemetery was published in full (128). For a
spatial analysis of the site see (129).
Grave 3. Skeleton: heavily damaged by a bulldozer, the position and orientation could not be determined.
Sex: archaeology – ?, anthropology – ?, aDNA – M. Age: juvenis (15–20). Grave goods: cup and fragments
of two other cups. Archaeological dating: Bell Beaker culture, late stage. Radiocarbon dating: PSUAMS4499 (3670±20 BP) 2136–1977 cal BC 2-sigma (5, 128). Master ID and/or other aDNA signs: I7249,
BRAN_3. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A 31479.
Grave 4. Skeleton: right-sided crouched burial, disturbed, head towards the south. Sex: archaeology – F,
anthropology – F?, aDNA – F. Age: adultus (20–30). Grave goods: polypod bowl. Archaeological dating:
Bell Beaker culture, late stage. Radiocarbon dating: not availabe (5, 128). Master ID and/or other aDNA
signs: I7250, BRAN_4. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A 31480.
Grave 8. Skeleton: heavily disturbed, head towards the north. Sex: archaeology – M, anthropology – child,
aDNA – M. Age: infans (7–15). Grave goods: fragments of bowl. Archaeological dating: Bell Beaker
culture, middle/late stage. Radiocarbon dating: not available (5, 128, 130). Master ID and/or other aDNA
signs: I7251, BRAN_8. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A 31615.
Grave 12. Skeleton: left-sided crouched burial, head towards the north-east. Sex: archaeology – M,
anthropology – M?, aDNA – M. Age: juvenis (15–18). Grave goods: no finds. Archaeological dating: Bell
Beaker culture. Radiocarbon dating: not available (5, 128, 130). Master ID and/or other aDNA signs: I7269,
BRAN_12. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A 31619.
Grave 19. Grave with two burials.
Skeleton 19A: right-sided crouched burial, head towards the south-west. Sex: archaeology – F,
anthropology – F, aDNA – F. Age: adultus I (20–30). Grave goods: see burial 19B. Archaeological dating:
Bell Beaker culture, middle/late stage. Radiocarbon dating: not available (5, 128). Master ID and/or other
aDNA signs: I7270, BRAN_19A. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A 31626A.
Skeleton 19B: left-sided crouched burial, head towards the north-east. Sex: archaeology – M, anthropology
– M?, aDNA – M. Age: adultus II – maturus I (30–50). Grave goods: decorated bell beaker, cup, bowl.
Archaeological dating: Bell Beaker culture, middle/late stage. Radiocarbon dating: not available (5, 128,
130). Master ID and/or other aDNA signs: I7271, BRAN_19B. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A 31626B.
Grave 23. Skeleton: right-sided crouched burial, head towards the west. Sex: archaeology – ?, anthropology
– child, aDNA – M. Age: infans (4–6). Grave goods: small beaker, cow pelvis. Archaeological dating:
Funnel Beaker culture (Baalberge). Radiocarbon dating: PSUAMS-4239 (4715±20 BP) 3630–3377 cal BC
2-sigma (5, 128, 130). Master ID and/or other aDNA signs: I7272, BRAN_23. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A
31630.
Grave 26. Skeleton: left-sided crouched burial, head towards the north-east. Sex: archaeology – M,
anthropology – M, aDNA – M. Age: maturus (40–60). Grave goods: bowl, bone pendant. Archaeologica
dating: Bell Beaker culture, late stage. Radiocarbon dating: not available (5, 128, 130). Master ID and/or
other aDNA signs: I7275, BRAN_26. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A 31633.
Grave 34. Skeleton: heavily disturbed, the position and orientation of the skeleton could not be determined.
Sex: archaeology – ?, anthropology – ?, aDNA – M. Age: infans (2–3). Grave goods: cup, bowl.
Archaeological dating: Bell Beaker culture, late stage. Radiocarbon dating: not available (5, 128, 130).
Master ID and/or other aDNA signs: I7276, BRAN_34. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A 31641.
Grave 71. Skeleton: left-sided crouched burial, head towards the north. Sex: archaeology – M, anthropology
– M, aDNA – M. Age: adultus II – maturus I (30–50). Grave goods: jug, cup, bowl, small copper dagger,
chipped industry – four arrowheads and two flakes. Archaeological dating: Bell Beaker culture, middle/late
stage. Radiocarbon dating: PSUAMS-4349 (3890±20 BP) 2464–2299 cal BC 2-sigma (5, 128, 130). Master
ID and/or other aDNA signs: I7278, BRAN_71 NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A 31677.
Grave 74. Skeleton: right-sided crouched burial, head towards the west. Sex: archaeology – M,
anthropology – child, aDNA – M. Age: infans (5–6). Grave goods: beaker, amphora. Archaeological dating:
Corded Ware culture, late stage. Radiocarbon dating: not available (5, 128). Master ID and/or other aDNA
signs: I7279, BRAN_74. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A 32160.
Grave 78. Skeleton: right-sided crouched burial, head towards the west. Sex: archaeology – M,
anthropology – child, aDNA – M. Age: infans (3–4). Grave goods: beaker. Archaeological dating: Corded
Ware culture, middle stage. Radiocarbon dating: not available (5, 128). Master ID and/or other aDNA signs:
I7280, BRAN_78. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A 32163.
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Post by Admin on Sept 5, 2021 19:02:24 GMT
5. Březno u Loun (Březno u Loun, Louny district, NW Bohemia, Czech Republic)
Contact person: Miroslav Dobeš
The long-term (´systematic´) excavation of a multicultural site (evidence of residential and burial activities
from the Neolithic up to the Early Middle Ages) in 1966, 1969–1970 and 1973–75. Among other finds,
remains of two Proto-Eneolithic megadendric long barrows (I. Pleinerová) were also uncovered. Although
their above-ground parts were not preserved, their area was delimited by peripheral trenches cut into the
subsoil. The first of these (barrow 62) was ca. 24 m long and 3 m wide, with two Eneolithic graves located
inside along its axis. Based on 14C dates, the grave in the front of the barrow (LXXIII) was primary, while
the grave in the middle was added later (LXXV). The second barrow (No. 86) was ca. 144 m long and 4 m
wide. Primary grave (CXV) was located in its front. Elongated grooves found in the subsoil inside the
barrow, parallel to its longitudinal axis, were interpreted as plough marks. According to the stratigraphic
contexts, they could chronologically correspond to the period of the barrow construction. Large numbers
of additional graves (Corded Ware culture, Bell Beaker culture, Únětice culture) were found ´inside´ of
both barrows, being also oriented along their longer axes, i.e. in the east-west direction. These later burials
were apparently inserted into the mounds intentionally, when the mound bodies were still visible on the
ground surface. Both barrows have been published in detail in (100, 131).
Long barrow, feature no. 62, grave LXXIII. Skeleton: right-sided crouched burial, head towards the west.
Sex: archaeology – ?, anthropology – M, aDNA – M. Age: maturus II (50–60). Grave goods: small
bowl/cup. Archaeological dating: Jordanów/Michelsberg culture. Radiocarbon dating: GrN-8803
(5090±45) 3974–3783 cal BC 2-sigma; MAMS-41371 (5078±25) 3956–3799 cal BC 2-sigma (100, 131).
Pandora No.: BRZ001. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A 35523.
Long barrow, feature no. 62, grave LXXV. Skeleton: left-sided crouched burial, head towards the west.
Sex: archaeology – ?, anthropology – M?, aDNA – F. Age: maturus II (50–60). Grave goods: no finds.
Archaeological dating: Funnel Beaker culture. Radiocarbon dating: MAMS-41372 (4768±26) 3638–3390
cal BC 2-sigma (100, 131). Pandora No.: BRZ002. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A 35525.
Long barrow no. of feature 86, grave CXV. Skeleton: right-sided crouched burial, head towards the east.
Sex: archaeology – ?, anthropology – F?, aDNA – no aDNA. Age: adultus I (20–30). Grave goods: small
bowl. Archaeological dating: Jordanów/Michesberg culture. Radiocarbon dating: not available (100, 131).
Pandora No.: BRZ003. NM Prague Inv. No.: P7A 37013.
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