Ancient DNA Reveals Human Migration Patterns in Europe

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have analyzed ancient DNA to uncover human migration patterns across Europe during the first millennium AD, Earth.com reported. Using a new analytical method called Twigstats, they examined over 1,500 genomes from individuals who lived between 1 and 1000 AD.

The study identified three significant migration waves originating from Northern Germany and Scandinavia into Southern Europe. Genetic evidence shows that individuals in Britain exhibited Scandinavian ancestry as early as the second to fourth century.

Additionally, a migration wave into Scandinavia occurred between 300 and 800 AD, with many individuals carrying Central European ancestry. The research also confirmed genetic mixing during the Viking Age, with remains in present-day Ukraine and Russia linked to Sweden.

These findings were published in the journal Nature, contributing to the understanding of genetic diversity and historical population movements in Europe.