Human Mobility deals with isotope analysis as a means to test human mobility and diet, as well as ancient DNA analysis to map the origin of the analyzed individuals and their kinship.
This project is divided into two subprojects:
- Buried identities. Humans, burial practices, mobility and social identity in southern Scandinavia in the 3rd and 2nd millennium BC.
- Ancient DNA.
In this project, we will contribute new data and interpretations of this period by studying the buried persons themselves and their genetic and geographical provenience. Comparisons will also be made with reference material from earlier periods and other regions, such as Germany and Poland.
A systematic comparison of bioarchaological data with variations in burial practices and artifact compositions will provide us with new insights on socially effective ways of classifying people during these periods, and contribute to our understanding of how gender, ethnicities and elites were constructed.
The key focus of the ancient DNA study will be to exploit recent technological and computational developments, in order to reconstruct the genetic history, and origins, of the Nordic and north European populations of the 3rd and 2nd millennium BC.
When compared with pre-existing European Neolithic ancient DNA datasets and modern DNA datasets, the new data will supplement and add historical depth to the strontium isotope analyses, as well as resolve kinship between the ancient samples.