title: Ancient mitochondrial DNA from the middle neolithic necropolis of Obernai extends the genetic influence of the LBK to west of the Rhine.
abstract: The arrival of Neolithic farmers in Europe was the source of major cultural and genetic transitions. Neolithic settlers brought a new set of maternal lineages (mitochondrial DNA), recently well-characterized on the continental road, from the Balkans to West Germany (Rhine River). In the present study, the first mitochondrial DNA data from groups associated with this continental expansion wave located west of the Rhine River has been provided and their genetic affinities with contemporary groups have been discussed.
  
  
  
  The mitochondrial DNA analysis of 27 human remains originating from Obernai (5,000-4,400 cal. BC), a necropolis located in French Alsace Region and attributed to Grossgartach, Planig-Friedberg, and Roessen cultures was conducted.
  
  
  
  Among the 27 individuals studied, 15 HVR-I sequences and 17 mitochondrial haplogroups could be determined. The analysis of the Obernai gene pool clearly confirmed the genetic homogeneity of Linearbandkeramik (LBK) groups on both sides of the Rhine River. Notably, one N1a sequence found in Obernai is shared with LBK farmers from Central Europe, including one individual from the Flomborn site located approximately 200 km north-east of Obernai. On the whole, data gathered so far showed major genetic influence of the Danubian wave from Transdanubia to Atlantic French Coast, going by Alsace Region. However, the genetic influence of descendants from the Mediterranean Neolithic expansion and the significant hunter-gatherer admixture detected further west in the Paris Basin were not perceived in the Obernai necropolis.
  
  
  
  Genetic homogeneity and continuity within LBK groups can be proposed on both sides of the Rhine River for the middle Neolithic groups. Nevertheless, mitochondrial data gathered so far for Neolithic groups from the entire extant French Territory clearly point out the complexity and the variability of Neolithic communities interactions that is worthy of further investigation.
authors.affiliation: De la Préhistoire à l'Actuel, Culture, Environnement, Anthropologie - UMR 5199, CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, Allée Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, CS 50023, Pessac Cedex, 33615, France. Maite.Rivollat@u-bordeaux.Fr, maite87@live.Fr.
authors.forename: Maïté
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rivollat
authors.affiliation: De la Préhistoire à l'Actuel, Culture, Environnement, Anthropologie - UMR 5199, CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, Allée Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, CS 50023, Pessac Cedex, 33615, France.|Centre d'Archéologie Préventive de Bordeaux Métropole, direction des Bâtiments et Moyens, Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle, Bordeaux Cedex, 33 076, France.|Institut National de Recherche en Archéologie Préventive, Centre Archéologique de Strasbourg, 10 rue d'Altkirch, Strasbourg, 67000, France.
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Réveillas
authors.affiliation: De la Préhistoire à l'Actuel, Culture, Environnement, Anthropologie - UMR 5199, CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, Allée Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, CS 50023, Pessac Cedex, 33615, France.
authors.forename: Fanny
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mendisco
authors.affiliation: De la Préhistoire à l'Actuel, Culture, Environnement, Anthropologie - UMR 5199, CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, Allée Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, CS 50023, Pessac Cedex, 33615, France.
authors.forename: Marie-Hélène
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Pemonge
authors.affiliation: De la Préhistoire à l'Actuel, Culture, Environnement, Anthropologie - UMR 5199, CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, Allée Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, CS 50023, Pessac Cedex, 33615, France.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Justeau
authors.affiliation: De la Préhistoire à l'Actuel, Culture, Environnement, Anthropologie - UMR 5199, CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, Allée Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, CS 50023, Pessac Cedex, 33615, France.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Couture
authors.affiliation: Institut National de Recherche en Archéologie Préventive, Centre Archéologique de Strasbourg, 10 rue d'Altkirch, Strasbourg, 67000, France.|Archéologie et Histoire Ancienne: Méditerranée/Europe - UMR 7044, Université de Strasbourg, Maison Interuniversitaire des Sciences de l'Homme d'Alsace, 5 allée du Général Rouvillois, CS 50008, Strasbourg Cedex, 67083, France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lefranc
authors.affiliation: Institut National de Recherche en Archéologie Préventive, Centre Archéologique de Strasbourg, 10 rue d'Altkirch, Strasbourg, 67000, France.|Archéologie et Histoire Ancienne: Méditerranée/Europe - UMR 7044, Université de Strasbourg, Maison Interuniversitaire des Sciences de l'Homme d'Alsace, 5 allée du Général Rouvillois, CS 50008, Strasbourg Cedex, 67083, France.
authors.forename: Clément
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Féliu
authors.affiliation: De la Préhistoire à l'Actuel, Culture, Environnement, Anthropologie - UMR 5199, CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, Allée Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, CS 50023, Pessac Cedex, 33615, France.
authors.forename: Marie-France
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Deguilloux
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D000885:Anthropology, Physical; D000072441:DNA, Ancient / Q000032:analysis*; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics* / Q000266:history*; D005602:France; D006239:Haplotypes / Q000235:genetics; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000072441:DNA, Ancient; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial
keywords: 5,000-4,400 cal. BC; Rhine region; Western Europe; farmers; paleogenetics