Uncovering the Genetic Legacy of Ancient Empires: Insights into Avar Sex and Marriage Patterns
Exploring the genetic revelations from ancient DNA sheds light on the Avars, formidable conquerors who established a powerful empire spanning Central and Eastern Europe for over two centuries starting in the sixth century.
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Discoveries from ancient DNA are unveiling more mysteries about the Avars, a formidable group who established a secretive empire dominating a large portion of Central and Eastern Europe for 250 years starting from the mid-sixth century.
The Avars were primarily known for being formidable horseback warriors who surprised the Byzantines with their sudden appearance. These enigmatic nomads migrated in large numbers from the Mongolian steppe, marking one of the most significant and rapid movements in ancient history.
Despite having opulent graves, the Avars and their empire have remained relatively unknown in history due to the lack of written records. However, a groundbreaking study in April 2022 used ancient DNA from the graves of the Avar elite to uncover more about the empire's distant origins.
Now, researchers have examined the skeletons of 424 individuals found in four ancient cemeteries in Hungary. This study sheds light on the family and social dynamics of the Avar people, as well as how they integrated with the local population.
The excavations of an Avar cemetery in Rákóczifalva, Hungary, took place in 2006.
The excavations of an Avar cemetery in Rákóczifalva, Hungary, took place in 2006.
Institute of Archaeological Sciences/Eötvös Loránd University Múzeum
Zsófia Rácz, a researcher at Eötvös Loránd University’s Institute of Archaeological Sciences in Budapest, Hungary, was surprised by the strong connections among the people in the cemeteries. She was one of the study coauthors.
The researchers successfully created detailed family trees that went back nine generations over 2 ½ centuries. They found that approximately 300 individuals had a family member buried in the same cemetery.
Men typically remain in their community after marriage, whereas women tend to marry outside of their original community, a practice referred to as patrilocality.
Lead author of the study, Guido Alberto Gnecchi-Ruscone, noted, "For all the mothers, we don’t find the parents. The parents aren’t at the site. While all the males are the descendants of the founders." The study was published in the journal Nature on Wednesday.
Study of mitochondrial DNA, which traces the female lineage, has shown a significant amount of diversity. This suggests that the women who joined the Avar groups came from various regions, as explained by Gnecchi-Ruscone, a postdoctoral researcher specializing in archaeogenetics at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany. Despite their diverse origins, they still shared a common genetic heritage linked to the steppe, indicating that they likely were not local people who had been conquered.
A tiny sample is drilled from a bone at the ancient DNA laboratory at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany.
A tiny sample is drilled from a bone at the ancient DNA laboratory at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany.
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Multiple partners in patriarchal clans
What’s more, the study found, it was relatively common for both men and women in Avar society to have children with multiple partners.
In men, researchers discovered that two partners were found in 10 cases, three partners in four cases, and four partners in one case. The study authors noted that having multiple wives may have been common among both the general population and the elite.
The team also found several instances of closely related male individuals fathering offspring with the same female partner. This included three pairs of fathers and sons, two pairs of full brothers, and one case of paternal half brothers and an uncle and nephew.
Similar customs known as "levirate unions" were found in other Eurasian steppe societies after the death of a woman's husband. The study also indicates that the Avars, who shifted from a nomadic lifestyle focused on herding to a more settled existence upon entering Europe, retained certain elements of their previous way of life.
A male who died at a young age was buried with a horse in the eighth century at the Rákóczifalva cemetery.
A male who died at a young age was buried with a horse in the eighth century at the Rákóczifalva cemetery.
Institute of Archaeological Sciences/Eötvös Loránd University Múzeum
Lara Cassidy, a geneticist and assistant professor at Trinity College Dublin, who was not part of the new research, praised the authors for skillfully uncovering the organizing principles of this medieval society. They presented strong evidence for a strict patrilineal system, where children are considered part of their father's family and ancestry is traced through the male line.
In a commentary published with the research, Cassidy expressed agreement with the authors' interpretation of why there were multiple reproductive partners in the society.
"Polygamy, serial monogamous marriages, and extramarital relations are all possible reasons," she explained.
She pointed out that there were two cases of men who had multiple older female partners, all middle-aged at the time of death, which could be seen as evidence for polygyny. On the other hand, most women with multiple partners were involved in levirate unions, where a widow would marry the son or brother of the deceased. This practice is common among pastoralists, serving to support widows and ensure they fulfill marriage obligations that require them to produce male heirs.
A male Avar burial shows a belt garniture and a ceramic mug dating from the eighth century.
A male Avar burial shows a belt garniture and a ceramic mug dating from the eighth century.
Institute of Archaeological Sciences/Eötvös Loránd University; Múzeum
Tight-knit family groups
In the tight-knit population studied by the researchers, Gnecchi-Ruscone noted the remarkable biological continuity. Despite this, there was no evidence of interbreeding between close blood relatives, which is known as consanguinity.
He explained that even more distant interbreeding, like between cousins or second cousins, usually leaves genetic traces. However, in this case, there was absolutely no sign of consanguinity in these individuals.
They were able to identify their biological relatives and trace them through generations. This shows that they had knowledge of their family lineage.
According to Gnecchi-Ruscone, studying ancient DNA alone did not provide a clear understanding of the gender power dynamics within the community.
Men's burials often contained high-status grave goods like horses, saddles, and harnesses, according to Rácz. On the other hand, women likely helped foster social unity by connecting different communities.
Cassidy pointed out that in Avar society, the oral tradition of tracing genealogy through the female line was significant. This practice helped ensure that daughters did not marry into the same family as their mothers or grandmothers.
Around 100,000 Avar graves have been excavated, making them a significant aspect of Europe's archaeological heritage.
The Avars were originally part of the Rouran khaganate, according to the Chinese, but were defeated by the Turks in 550. This defeat led to the Avars fleeing westward.
The Avars traveled over 5,000 kilometers from Mongolia to the Caucasus in just a few years. A 2022 study published in the journal Cell highlighted their Asian ancestry. They eventually settled in present-day Hungary and nearly conquered Constantinople, the heart of the Byzantine Empire.
It is believed by some historians that the Avars introduced the stirrup to Europe. This innovative technology revolutionized mounted warfare and was quickly embraced throughout the continent.
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According to Bryan Miller, an assistant professor of Central Asian art and archaeology at the University of Michigan, the study was a successful blend of genetics, history, and archaeology. He was not part of the study.
In an email, Miller mentioned that many past studies have tried to cover all of Eurasia using only one person or a few individuals to represent a whole culture or society.
This study highlights the importance of using a data set with higher resolution and conducting thorough investigations of entire communities. This approach is necessary in order to create more detailed and accurate narratives, unlike the earlier big data studies that aimed to do the same.
Editor's P/S:
The study on the Avars, an enigmatic empire that dominated Central and Eastern Europe for centuries, provides fascinating insights into their family dynamics and social structure. Researchers have uncovered a complex system of multiple partners and patrilocality, as well as evidence of tight-knit family groups and a strong oral tradition. These findings shed light on the intricate social fabric of a nomadic people who left a significant mark on European history.
Furthermore, the study highlights the power of ancient DNA in unlocking the secrets of past societies. By examining the genomes of ancient individuals, researchers are able to reconstruct family trees and trace genetic connections, providing unprecedented insights into the lives and relationships of our ancestors. This research on the Avars is a testament to the transformative potential of ancient DNA in advancing our understanding of human history and social evolution.
