The journey of our genes: Where we come from and where we are going

The relatively new field of archaeogenetics deals with the extraction and analysis of genetic material from archaeological finds such as bones and teeth. This makes it possible, for example, to reconstruct events in human history from prehistoric skeletons that often remain hidden from archaeologists and historians. In particular, the link between migration and transitions between eras in prehistoric times can only be investigated to a limited extent using grave goods and other archaeological artefacts. For many years, there was debate as to whether the transition from hunter-gatherers to early farmers at the beginning of the Neolithic period in Europe was linked to immigration from the Middle East, or whether it involved the cultural transmission of innovative techniques as well as domesticated animals and plants. To get to the bottom of such questions, archaeogeneticists have conducted genome-wide analyses of thousands of prehistoric individuals, including Ötzi. These studies have shown that the settlement history of Europe since the Ice Age has been shaped by numerous migratory movements – both into and out of Europe. The resulting intermixing has left traces that can be traced right up to the West Eurasians living today. With the help of archaeogenetics, it is now possible to genetically trace certain clinical pictures, characteristics such as skin, hair and eye colour, as well as other adaptations, over a period of several thousand years.