The genomic portrait of the Picene culture provides new insights into the Italic Iron Age and the legacy of the Roman Empire in Central Italy

Genome Biology ^ | November 21, 2024 | listed below

[SunkenCiv]

More than 50 samples are reported, spanning more than 1000 years of history from the Iron Age to Late Antiquity. Despite cultural diversity, our analysis reveals no major differences between the Picenes and other coeval populations, suggesting a shared genetic history of the Central Italian Iron Age ethnic groups. Nevertheless, a slight genetic differentiation between populations along the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian coasts can be observed, possibly due to different population dynamics in the two sides of Italy and/or genetic contacts across the Adriatic Sea. Additionally, we identify several individuals with ancestries deviating from their general population. Lastly, in our Late Antiquity site, we observe a drastic change in the genetic landscape of the Middle Adriatic region, indicating a relevant influx from the Near East, possibly as a consequence of Romanization.

Our findings, consistently with archeological hypotheses, suggest genetic interactions across the Adriatic Sea during the Bronze/Iron Age and a high level of individual mobility typical of cosmopolitan societies. Finally, we highlight the role of the Roman Empire in shaping genetic and phenotypic changes that greatly impact the Italian peninsula...

During the Late Bronze Age, distinct Italic ethnicities emerged, giving rise to new communities with well-defined cultural and linguistic identities that consolidated during the IA, such as the Picenes, Etruscans, Latins, and others. These cultural entities were connected to each other and engaged in close commercial and cultural contacts. Moreover, the presence of non-autochthonous goods in Italic IA archeological sites suggests that these populations were part of an extensive commercial network, connecting the Italian Peninsula with the whole Mediterranean basin and Europe.

[SunkenCiv]

Author list: Francesco Ravasini, Helja Kabral, Anu Solnik, Luciana de Gennaro, Francesco Montinaro, Ruoyun Hui, Chiara Delpino, Stefano Finocchi, Pierluigi Giroldini, Oscar Mei, Michael Allen Beck De Lotto, Elisabetta Cilli, Mogge Hajiesmaeil, Letizia Pistacchia, Flavia Risi, Chiara Giacometti, Christiana Lyn Scheib, Kristiina Tambets, Mait Metspalu, Fulvio Cruciani, Eugenia D’Atanasio & Beniamino Trombetta

[SunkenCiv]

[Red Badger]

The Italic Age?

Was this during New Roman Times?.....................

[jdt1138]

The Italic Age? Was this during New Roman Times?.....................

[Red Badger]

It was the best of Times New Roman, it was the worst of Times New Roman................

[Celtic Conservative]

What a font of knowledge you are!

CC

[Red Badger]

That’s just my type!................

[bravo whiskey]

Any history of the Italic Iron Age will be slanted.

[Celtic Conservative]

🤣🤣👍

CC

[SunkenCiv]

Parenthetically, hyphen following your commants, and have been bold over.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Dang. I read the title as “The gastronomic portrait of the Picene culture" and stopped by for the recipes.

Good article.

But no fish recipes.

[SunkenCiv]

Fish spread gets put on everything, so that’s just a given. :^)

[Celtic Conservative]

One word: Garum.

The heinz 57 of the ancient world.

CC

[Red Badger]

I see you speak Old English.................