First farmers of Central Europe do not show family-related inequality
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Gelabert P., Pinhasi R., 2025. First farmers of Central Europe do not show family-related inequality. Nature Human Behaviour.
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The expansion of agriculture in Central Europe occurred during the 6th millennium bce1,2. Previous research has shown that the first farmers of Central Europe were not genetically a homogenous group3. The genetic differences are mainly due to varying admixture between the incoming farmers, whose genetic ancestry is traced back to Anatolia (Asia Minor), and local hunter-gatherer populations. However, research has not focused on understanding the possible relationship between genetic connections or identity and social status. Understanding this relationship is crucial for assessing the complexity and the levels of inequality in ancient societies. Inequality can be understood as differential access to resources (such as space and food) depending on belonging to a specific genetic group or a family. The Linearbandkeramik (LBK) (also known as Linear Pottery) culture is an archaeological culture that is associated with the expansion of agriculture in Central Europe, and that is spread across vast regions of the continent1,2. The culture ended abruptly around 5,000 bce, and is linked to several violent events (such as at Asparn-Schletz, Austria, and Talheim, Germany). Understanding the social organization of this culture is one of the key questions for understanding the Neolithization process in Europe, both in terms of regional organization and resource usage.