NEWS
NEWS
A 3,700-Year-Old Mystery: Baby Canaanite Found in Ancient Sidon Revealed as E-V22 lineage
07 December 2024 - By Richard Blandini
Sidon, Lebanon – A recent discovery in the ancient port city of Sidon offers new insights into the genetic and cultural connections of the Bronze Age Levant. Burial 73, identified as CGG_2_104298, features the disarticulated remains of a six-month-old infant buried in a jar, providing a glimpse into burial practices and population genetics around 3,700 years ago.
Fragmented Remains Tell a Complex Story
The burial, found within a jar—a common practice for infants in the ancient Levant—was highly fragmented due to post-depositional movement over centuries. The cranium, oriented downward and facing east, was situated in the southern part of the jar. The left femur and os coxae were positioned in the north, and fragmented ribs and the right femur were located to the west. Notably, the infant’s mandible and vertebral hemiarches were recovered from within the cranial space, raising questions about whether this was intentional or caused by natural processes.
"This discovery underscores the challenges of studying ancient burial sites, especially when remains are so fragmented," said a researcher involved in the excavation.
Genetic Insights into the Past
The genetic analysis of the remains provides crucial information about the ancestry of the population in Bronze Age Sidon:
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was found to belong to haplogroup U4b1a, linked to populations in Europe and West Asia.
Y-chromosome analysis identified haplogroup E1b1b1a1b2a6~ (E-Z1919), tracing the paternal lineage back to North Africa and the Levant. The detailed genetic pathway—M215 > M35 > L539 > M78 > Z1919 > V22 > L1250 > PH2121—reflects the complex migrations that occurred in the region during the Bronze Age.
The autosomal DNA analysis revealed Canaanite ancestry and genetic affinities with populations from Western Asia and Europe spanning from approximately 26,000 BP to 300 BP. This suggests interactions between the Levant and these broader regions, likely facilitated through trade, migration, and cultural exchange.
Cultural Connections and Historical Context
Sidon was a significant port city in the Bronze Age, serving as a hub for trade, communication, and cultural exchange between the eastern Mediterranean, North Africa, and Europe. The presence of haplogroup E-Z1919 in the burial highlights possible links to migratory patterns from Africa, while haplogroup U4b1a suggests contributions from Western Asia and Europe.
"The genetic data reveal a population with deep connections to both West Asia and Europe, indicative of the interconnectivity of the Bronze Age world," said the geneticist leading the analysis.
Conclusion
Burial 73 from Sidon not only provides a glimpse into the past through its burial practices but also acts as a key to understanding the genetic diversity of the ancient Levant. As researchers continue to study such sites, new connections are being made, shedding light on the complex history of migration and exchange in the region. This discovery enhances our understanding of how populations in the Bronze Age interacted, revealing a richly interconnected world even millennia ago.