Ajeje Brazorf
07-08-2025, 03:39 PM
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.07.01.662689v1
The paper presents a groundbreaking archaeogenomic study that deeply explores the genetic relationships between the Corinthian colony of Amvrakia (modern-day Arta, Epirus, Greece) and its founding metropolis, Corinth, using whole genome sequencing (WGS) of ancient individuals. It represents one of the most detailed and comprehensive ancient DNA studies on ancient Greek colonization to date.
https://i.imgur.com/UZMuePr.png
https://i.imgur.com/GQdfh6k.png
Overall Focus of the Study
The primary aim is to investigate the biological (genetic) relationships between a Greek colony (Amvrakia) and its metropolis (Corinth, represented by ancient Tenea), and to trace the demographic evolution of Amvrakia from its foundation in the Archaic period (\~7th century BCE) through the Classical and Hellenistic periods, using ancient DNA from 26 individuals.
Key Findings
1. Amvrakias Foundation Had Dual Genetic Origins
Colonial founders came from two distinct sources:
Archaic Tenea (representing Corinth): supported by Identity By Descent (IBD) segments (812 cM) between individuals from both locations, implying a recent shared ancestry \~110170 years before sampling.
Local population from LBA Ammotopos, \~10 km from Amvrakia: supported by qpAdm, ADMIXTURE, and PCA analyses.
Conclusion: Amvrakia was founded by a genetically mixed group both Corinthian colonists and local Epirote inhabitants.
2. Evidence of Genetic Continuity in Amvrakia
Across Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic periods, the population of Amvrakia shows genetic continuity, particularly:
Classical Amvrakia individuals show homogeneous genetic makeup and long runs of homozygosity (sROH > 20 cM), suggesting increased inbreeding or endogamy during this period.
Hellenistic Amvrakia individuals show greater genetic variability, possibly due to increased interactions (e.g., with Macedonians or other groups during the Epirote Kingdom's rise).
3. Tenea Population Evolution
Archaic Tenea is genetically close to LBA/IA Peloponnesian and Balkan populations.
From Archaic to Hellenistic and Roman times, Tenea shows a shift, culminating in Roman-era individuals with genetic affinities to Anatolia, Greece, and Italy.
Suggests Roman cosmopolitanism and possibly population movement or intermarriage.
Three Roman Tenea children share maternal haplogroup (N1a1a) but have different paternal haplogroups, suggesting matrilocality and extended family structures.
4. Amvrakia and Tenea Had a Common Genetic Past
IBD segments confirm that Archaic individuals from both sites share recent common ancestors.
Some Amvrakia individuals appear genetically closer to Tenea than to local Ammotopos; others the opposite.
qpAdm models support scenarios where Archaic Amvrakia is either a direct descendant of Tenea, of Ammotopos, or an admixture of both (typically \~90% Ammotopos, \~10% Tenea).
5. High-Resolution Phenotypic Predictions
Most individuals likely had:
Brown eyes, intermediate to dark skin, and brown to dark hair.
Notable exception: a Late HellenisticEarly Roman individual from Tenea had a high probability (\~64%) for red hair, which is rare in ancient southern European genomes.
6. Microbial DNA & Metagenomics
Pathogen and commensal microbe DNA was recovered (mentioned briefly), potentially aiding future studies in ancient disease epidemiology. Specific findings are not detailed in the visible content.
Methodological Innovations & Noteworthy Aspects
26 ancient genomes sequenced (15 from Amvrakia, 2 from Ammotopos, 9 from Tenea), with 0.076.31Χ mean coverage.
Use of multiple population genetics tools: PCA, ADMIXTURE, qpAdm, IBD sharing, Outgroup f3 statistics.
Fine temporal resolution: from Late Bronze Age (1275 BCE) to Roman period (\~100 CE).
Sophisticated source population modeling (Ultimate → More\_proximate → Most\_proximate).
Broader Implications
1. Demonstrates that ancient Greek colonization was both cultural and biological not just elite male-driven, but involving admixture with local populations.
2. Refines the understanding of population structure in historical Greece across major periods.
3. Provides a new archaeogenomic model for future studies on ancient Mediterranean colonization.
4. Establishes Amvrakia as a key site for understanding genetic evolution in western Greece.
Summary
Dual origin of Amvrakias founders ⭢ Archaic Tenea (Corinthian settlers) + LBA Ammotopos (locals)
Evidence of endogamy in Classical Amvrakia ⭢ Long runs of homozygosity (sROH > 20 cM)
IBD connections ⭢ 812 cM segments suggest common ancestors \~150 years earlier
Variable genetic profiles in Hellenistic Amvrakia ⭢ Possibly reflects political changes (Epirus Kingdom/Macedonians)
Rare red-haired individual ⭢ Late HellenisticEarly Roman Tenean child (0.64 probability)
Matrilocality in Roman Tenea ⭢ Shared mtDNA among children, distinct Y-DNA
Corinthian colonization was not exclusively one-way ⭢ Shows bidirectional interaction and integration
<colgroup><col width="379" style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:13860;width:284pt"> <col width="212" style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:7753;width:159pt"> <col width="1790" style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:65462; width:1343pt"> <col width="179" style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:6546;width:134pt"> <col width="71" style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:2596;width:53pt"> <col width="103" style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:3766;width:77pt"> <col width="79" style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:2889;width:59pt"> <col width="186" style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:6802;width:140pt"> </colgroup><tbody>
Population_ID
Individual_ID
Y-DNA
mtDNA
Eye Color
Hair Color
Hair Shade
Skin Color
Greece_Ammotopos_LBA_1275-1125BCE
Amm_Epi_LBA_1
Female
J1c2 / J1c
Brown
Black Brown
Dark
Intermediate Dark
Greece_Ammotopos_LBA_1275-1125BCE
Amm_Epi_LBA_2
G-Z724*(xG-CTS1475,G-Z1903) [1.00] / G2a2b2a1a1c1a [1]
T2b3 / T2b3
Brown
Brown Black
Dark
Intermediate
Greece_Amvrakia_Archaic_550-480BCE
Amv_Epi_Arch_1
Female
H15a1b / H15a1b
Brown
Brown Black
Dark
Intermediate
Greece_Amvrakia_Archaic_550-480BCE
Amv_Epi_Arch_2
Female
T1a4 / T1a4
Brown
Brown Black
Dark
Intermediate
Greece_Amvrakia_Archaic_550-480BCE
Amv_Epi_Arch_3
Female
U5a1g1 / U5a1g1
Brown
NA
Light
Intermediate Pale
Greece_Amvrakia_Archaic_to_Roman_700BCE-330CE
Amv_Epi_Archaic_to_Roman
R-PF7562*(xR-Y36978,R-FGC31929,R-Y95829,R-Y83965,R-Y227216,R-Y187625,R-Y254754,R-Y43022,R-V3286,R-FGC42003,R-A11720,R-Y112728,R-Y187856) [1.00] / R1b1a2b [1]
W6 / W6
Brown
NA
Dark
Intermediate
Greece_Amvrakia_Classical_475-325BCE
Amv_Epi_Cl_1
Female
N1a1a1b / N1a1a1
Brown
Brown Black
Dark
Intermediate Dark
Greece_Amvrakia_Classical_475-325BCE
Amv_Epi_Cl_2
J-L283*(xJ-YP91,J-YP157,J-YP113,J-Z597) [1.00] / J2 [1]
H / H104 (H)*
Brown
NA
Dark
Intermediate Dark
Greece_Amvrakia_Classical_475-325BCE
Amv_Epi_Cl_3
Female
T2b6 / T2b3c
Brown
Brown Black
Dark
Intermediate Dark
Greece_Amvrakia_Classical_475-325BCE
Amv_Epi_Cl_4
T-S27463*(xT-Y174326) [1.00] / T1a2 [1]
H / H104 (H)*
Brown
Brown Red
Dark
DarktoBlack Intermediate
Greece_Amvrakia_Classical_475-325BCE
Amv_Epi_Cl_5
Female
K1a2 / K1a2
Brown
Brown Black
Dark
Intermediate Pale
Greece_Amvrakia_Classical_475-325BCE
Amv_Epi_Cl_6
Female
K1a2 / K1a2
Brown
Black Brown
Dark
Dark
Greece_Amvrakia_Hellenistic_325-100BCE
Amv_Epi_Hel_1
Female
H46 / H46
Brown
Brown Black
Dark
Intermediate Pale
Greece_Amvrakia_Hellenistic_325-100BCE
Amv_Epi_Hel_2
E-M78*(xE-V12,E-V65,E-Y161041,E-V22,E-BY6578,E-Y84931,E-Y126722,E-Y81468,E-A9036,E-BY112334,E-Y132383,E-BY5610,E-BY168279,E-BY5285,E-Y17356,E-ZS1176,E-Y173822,E-Y140828,E-Y227299,E-Y93102,E-Y133119,E-Y61211,E-BY178965,E-BY191636,E-BY5786,E-Z38518,E-Y93022,E-BY4600,E-CTS9320,E-FTA7686) [1.00] / E1b1b1 [4]
J2b1a / J2b1a (J2b1)*
Brown
NA
Dark
Intermediate
Greece_Amvrakia_Hellenistic_325-100BCE
Amv_Epi_Hel_3
Female
W+194 / W9
Brown
Brown Blond
Light
Intermediate Pale
Greece_Amvrakia_Hellenistic_325-100BCE
Amv_Epi_Hel_4
Female
W+194 / W9
Brown
Brown Black
Dark
Intermediate Pale
Greece_Amvrakia_Hellenistic_325-100BCE
Amv_Epi_Hel_5
Female
H5a3a / H5a3 (H5a)*
Brown
NA
Dark
Intermediate
Greece_Tenea_Archaic_550-480BCE
Ten_Pel_Arch_1
T-S27463*(xT-Y174326,T-Y21215) [1.00] / T1a2 [2]
T1a4 / T1a4
Brown
Brown Blond
Light
Intermediate
Greece_Tenea_Archaic_550-480BCE
Ten_Pel_Arch_2
Female
T1a4 / T1a4
Brown
Brown Black
Dark
Intermediate
Greece_Tenea_Hellenistic_323-31BCE
Ten_Pel_Hel_1
Female
U3a3 / U3a3
Brown
Brown Black
Dark
Intermediate Dark
Greece_Tenea_Hellenistic_323-31BCE
Ten_Pel_Hel_2
E-CTS9320*(xE-Z17107,E-Y84585,E-Y41959,E-Y20805,E-Y160090,E-Y21947,E-FTA55988,E-BY4342,E-Y38934,E-BY20074,E-Y208589,E-FT79653,E-BY66796,E-BY34282,E-Z38664,E-BY4231) [1.00] / E1b1b1a1b1 [2]
T2n / T2n
Brown
NA
Dark
Intermediate Dark
Greece_Tenea_LHellenistic_ERoman_100BCE-100CE
Ten_Pel_Lhellenistic_ERoman
Female
U5a1c / U5a1c
Brown
Red Brown
Light
Intermediate
Greece_Tenea_Roman_31BCE-330CE
Ten_Pel_Rom_1
Female
N1a1a+152 / N1a1a2
Brown
Brown Black
Dark
Intermediate
Greece_Tenea_Roman_31BCE-330CE
Ten_Pel_Rom_2
R-Y13369*(xR-Y18781,R-Y44770,R-FT16073,R-L943,R-Y18687,R-Y70805,R-A12337,R-Y31283,R-Y159888,R-Y155609,R-FGC75224,R-Y11410,R-Y23999) [1.00] / R1b1a2a2a [1]
N1a1a+152 / N1a1a2
Brown
Brown Black
Dark
Dark Intermediate
Greece_Tenea_Roman_31BCE-330CE
Ten_Pel_Rom_3
J-Z504*(xJ-Z8096,J-Y37487,J-SK1344,J-Z6254,J-Y235295,J-FTA58997) [1.00] / J2a1b1 [2]
N1a1a+152 / N1a1a2
Brown
Black Brown
Dark
Intermediate Dark
Greece_Tenea_Roman_31BCE-330CE
Ten_Pel_Rom_4
Female
U1a1c1 / U1a1c1 (U1a1c)
Brown
NA
Light
Intermediate Pale
</tbody>
The paper presents a groundbreaking archaeogenomic study that deeply explores the genetic relationships between the Corinthian colony of Amvrakia (modern-day Arta, Epirus, Greece) and its founding metropolis, Corinth, using whole genome sequencing (WGS) of ancient individuals. It represents one of the most detailed and comprehensive ancient DNA studies on ancient Greek colonization to date.
https://i.imgur.com/UZMuePr.png
https://i.imgur.com/GQdfh6k.png
Overall Focus of the Study
The primary aim is to investigate the biological (genetic) relationships between a Greek colony (Amvrakia) and its metropolis (Corinth, represented by ancient Tenea), and to trace the demographic evolution of Amvrakia from its foundation in the Archaic period (\~7th century BCE) through the Classical and Hellenistic periods, using ancient DNA from 26 individuals.
Key Findings
1. Amvrakias Foundation Had Dual Genetic Origins
Colonial founders came from two distinct sources:
Archaic Tenea (representing Corinth): supported by Identity By Descent (IBD) segments (812 cM) between individuals from both locations, implying a recent shared ancestry \~110170 years before sampling.
Local population from LBA Ammotopos, \~10 km from Amvrakia: supported by qpAdm, ADMIXTURE, and PCA analyses.
Conclusion: Amvrakia was founded by a genetically mixed group both Corinthian colonists and local Epirote inhabitants.
2. Evidence of Genetic Continuity in Amvrakia
Across Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic periods, the population of Amvrakia shows genetic continuity, particularly:
Classical Amvrakia individuals show homogeneous genetic makeup and long runs of homozygosity (sROH > 20 cM), suggesting increased inbreeding or endogamy during this period.
Hellenistic Amvrakia individuals show greater genetic variability, possibly due to increased interactions (e.g., with Macedonians or other groups during the Epirote Kingdom's rise).
3. Tenea Population Evolution
Archaic Tenea is genetically close to LBA/IA Peloponnesian and Balkan populations.
From Archaic to Hellenistic and Roman times, Tenea shows a shift, culminating in Roman-era individuals with genetic affinities to Anatolia, Greece, and Italy.
Suggests Roman cosmopolitanism and possibly population movement or intermarriage.
Three Roman Tenea children share maternal haplogroup (N1a1a) but have different paternal haplogroups, suggesting matrilocality and extended family structures.
4. Amvrakia and Tenea Had a Common Genetic Past
IBD segments confirm that Archaic individuals from both sites share recent common ancestors.
Some Amvrakia individuals appear genetically closer to Tenea than to local Ammotopos; others the opposite.
qpAdm models support scenarios where Archaic Amvrakia is either a direct descendant of Tenea, of Ammotopos, or an admixture of both (typically \~90% Ammotopos, \~10% Tenea).
5. High-Resolution Phenotypic Predictions
Most individuals likely had:
Brown eyes, intermediate to dark skin, and brown to dark hair.
Notable exception: a Late HellenisticEarly Roman individual from Tenea had a high probability (\~64%) for red hair, which is rare in ancient southern European genomes.
6. Microbial DNA & Metagenomics
Pathogen and commensal microbe DNA was recovered (mentioned briefly), potentially aiding future studies in ancient disease epidemiology. Specific findings are not detailed in the visible content.
Methodological Innovations & Noteworthy Aspects
26 ancient genomes sequenced (15 from Amvrakia, 2 from Ammotopos, 9 from Tenea), with 0.076.31Χ mean coverage.
Use of multiple population genetics tools: PCA, ADMIXTURE, qpAdm, IBD sharing, Outgroup f3 statistics.
Fine temporal resolution: from Late Bronze Age (1275 BCE) to Roman period (\~100 CE).
Sophisticated source population modeling (Ultimate → More\_proximate → Most\_proximate).
Broader Implications
1. Demonstrates that ancient Greek colonization was both cultural and biological not just elite male-driven, but involving admixture with local populations.
2. Refines the understanding of population structure in historical Greece across major periods.
3. Provides a new archaeogenomic model for future studies on ancient Mediterranean colonization.
4. Establishes Amvrakia as a key site for understanding genetic evolution in western Greece.
Summary
Dual origin of Amvrakias founders ⭢ Archaic Tenea (Corinthian settlers) + LBA Ammotopos (locals)
Evidence of endogamy in Classical Amvrakia ⭢ Long runs of homozygosity (sROH > 20 cM)
IBD connections ⭢ 812 cM segments suggest common ancestors \~150 years earlier
Variable genetic profiles in Hellenistic Amvrakia ⭢ Possibly reflects political changes (Epirus Kingdom/Macedonians)
Rare red-haired individual ⭢ Late HellenisticEarly Roman Tenean child (0.64 probability)
Matrilocality in Roman Tenea ⭢ Shared mtDNA among children, distinct Y-DNA
Corinthian colonization was not exclusively one-way ⭢ Shows bidirectional interaction and integration
<colgroup><col width="379" style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:13860;width:284pt"> <col width="212" style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:7753;width:159pt"> <col width="1790" style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:65462; width:1343pt"> <col width="179" style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:6546;width:134pt"> <col width="71" style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:2596;width:53pt"> <col width="103" style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:3766;width:77pt"> <col width="79" style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:2889;width:59pt"> <col width="186" style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:6802;width:140pt"> </colgroup><tbody>
Population_ID
Individual_ID
Y-DNA
mtDNA
Eye Color
Hair Color
Hair Shade
Skin Color
Greece_Ammotopos_LBA_1275-1125BCE
Amm_Epi_LBA_1
Female
J1c2 / J1c
Brown
Black Brown
Dark
Intermediate Dark
Greece_Ammotopos_LBA_1275-1125BCE
Amm_Epi_LBA_2
G-Z724*(xG-CTS1475,G-Z1903) [1.00] / G2a2b2a1a1c1a [1]
T2b3 / T2b3
Brown
Brown Black
Dark
Intermediate
Greece_Amvrakia_Archaic_550-480BCE
Amv_Epi_Arch_1
Female
H15a1b / H15a1b
Brown
Brown Black
Dark
Intermediate
Greece_Amvrakia_Archaic_550-480BCE
Amv_Epi_Arch_2
Female
T1a4 / T1a4
Brown
Brown Black
Dark
Intermediate
Greece_Amvrakia_Archaic_550-480BCE
Amv_Epi_Arch_3
Female
U5a1g1 / U5a1g1
Brown
NA
Light
Intermediate Pale
Greece_Amvrakia_Archaic_to_Roman_700BCE-330CE
Amv_Epi_Archaic_to_Roman
R-PF7562*(xR-Y36978,R-FGC31929,R-Y95829,R-Y83965,R-Y227216,R-Y187625,R-Y254754,R-Y43022,R-V3286,R-FGC42003,R-A11720,R-Y112728,R-Y187856) [1.00] / R1b1a2b [1]
W6 / W6
Brown
NA
Dark
Intermediate
Greece_Amvrakia_Classical_475-325BCE
Amv_Epi_Cl_1
Female
N1a1a1b / N1a1a1
Brown
Brown Black
Dark
Intermediate Dark
Greece_Amvrakia_Classical_475-325BCE
Amv_Epi_Cl_2
J-L283*(xJ-YP91,J-YP157,J-YP113,J-Z597) [1.00] / J2 [1]
H / H104 (H)*
Brown
NA
Dark
Intermediate Dark
Greece_Amvrakia_Classical_475-325BCE
Amv_Epi_Cl_3
Female
T2b6 / T2b3c
Brown
Brown Black
Dark
Intermediate Dark
Greece_Amvrakia_Classical_475-325BCE
Amv_Epi_Cl_4
T-S27463*(xT-Y174326) [1.00] / T1a2 [1]
H / H104 (H)*
Brown
Brown Red
Dark
DarktoBlack Intermediate
Greece_Amvrakia_Classical_475-325BCE
Amv_Epi_Cl_5
Female
K1a2 / K1a2
Brown
Brown Black
Dark
Intermediate Pale
Greece_Amvrakia_Classical_475-325BCE
Amv_Epi_Cl_6
Female
K1a2 / K1a2
Brown
Black Brown
Dark
Dark
Greece_Amvrakia_Hellenistic_325-100BCE
Amv_Epi_Hel_1
Female
H46 / H46
Brown
Brown Black
Dark
Intermediate Pale
Greece_Amvrakia_Hellenistic_325-100BCE
Amv_Epi_Hel_2
E-M78*(xE-V12,E-V65,E-Y161041,E-V22,E-BY6578,E-Y84931,E-Y126722,E-Y81468,E-A9036,E-BY112334,E-Y132383,E-BY5610,E-BY168279,E-BY5285,E-Y17356,E-ZS1176,E-Y173822,E-Y140828,E-Y227299,E-Y93102,E-Y133119,E-Y61211,E-BY178965,E-BY191636,E-BY5786,E-Z38518,E-Y93022,E-BY4600,E-CTS9320,E-FTA7686) [1.00] / E1b1b1 [4]
J2b1a / J2b1a (J2b1)*
Brown
NA
Dark
Intermediate
Greece_Amvrakia_Hellenistic_325-100BCE
Amv_Epi_Hel_3
Female
W+194 / W9
Brown
Brown Blond
Light
Intermediate Pale
Greece_Amvrakia_Hellenistic_325-100BCE
Amv_Epi_Hel_4
Female
W+194 / W9
Brown
Brown Black
Dark
Intermediate Pale
Greece_Amvrakia_Hellenistic_325-100BCE
Amv_Epi_Hel_5
Female
H5a3a / H5a3 (H5a)*
Brown
NA
Dark
Intermediate
Greece_Tenea_Archaic_550-480BCE
Ten_Pel_Arch_1
T-S27463*(xT-Y174326,T-Y21215) [1.00] / T1a2 [2]
T1a4 / T1a4
Brown
Brown Blond
Light
Intermediate
Greece_Tenea_Archaic_550-480BCE
Ten_Pel_Arch_2
Female
T1a4 / T1a4
Brown
Brown Black
Dark
Intermediate
Greece_Tenea_Hellenistic_323-31BCE
Ten_Pel_Hel_1
Female
U3a3 / U3a3
Brown
Brown Black
Dark
Intermediate Dark
Greece_Tenea_Hellenistic_323-31BCE
Ten_Pel_Hel_2
E-CTS9320*(xE-Z17107,E-Y84585,E-Y41959,E-Y20805,E-Y160090,E-Y21947,E-FTA55988,E-BY4342,E-Y38934,E-BY20074,E-Y208589,E-FT79653,E-BY66796,E-BY34282,E-Z38664,E-BY4231) [1.00] / E1b1b1a1b1 [2]
T2n / T2n
Brown
NA
Dark
Intermediate Dark
Greece_Tenea_LHellenistic_ERoman_100BCE-100CE
Ten_Pel_Lhellenistic_ERoman
Female
U5a1c / U5a1c
Brown
Red Brown
Light
Intermediate
Greece_Tenea_Roman_31BCE-330CE
Ten_Pel_Rom_1
Female
N1a1a+152 / N1a1a2
Brown
Brown Black
Dark
Intermediate
Greece_Tenea_Roman_31BCE-330CE
Ten_Pel_Rom_2
R-Y13369*(xR-Y18781,R-Y44770,R-FT16073,R-L943,R-Y18687,R-Y70805,R-A12337,R-Y31283,R-Y159888,R-Y155609,R-FGC75224,R-Y11410,R-Y23999) [1.00] / R1b1a2a2a [1]
N1a1a+152 / N1a1a2
Brown
Brown Black
Dark
Dark Intermediate
Greece_Tenea_Roman_31BCE-330CE
Ten_Pel_Rom_3
J-Z504*(xJ-Z8096,J-Y37487,J-SK1344,J-Z6254,J-Y235295,J-FTA58997) [1.00] / J2a1b1 [2]
N1a1a+152 / N1a1a2
Brown
Black Brown
Dark
Intermediate Dark
Greece_Tenea_Roman_31BCE-330CE
Ten_Pel_Rom_4
Female
U1a1c1 / U1a1c1 (U1a1c)
Brown
NA
Light
Intermediate Pale
</tbody>