Biology subjects

Fischer, C.-E.

Publications and source records attributed to Fischer, C.-E..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Sedimentary ancient DNA analysis from the Iron Age courtyard and cooking pit site of Rodskjaer in Troms, Northern Norway

Courtyard sites, which are Iron Age structures unique to Norway, are often associated with cooking pit fields suggesting feasting practices, but little is known about the main purpose of these sites. To address this, a framework for sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) metabarcoding sampling was undertaken at the site of Rodskjaer, northern Norway. Of the 63 sediment samples from cooking pits, fire pits, a hearth, a fireplace, the natural shell-sand and topsoil, 52 successfully detected plant and animal sedaDNA. The plant diversity was high with 41-100 taxa. SedaDNA identified archaeologically significant taxa that were not detected by other methods, including Avena (oats), Quercus (oak), Equus (horse), and Salmo salar (salmon). Additionally, from inter-sample comparison, and with reference to worm sedaDNA we identified the archaeological contexts that were affected by partial bioturbation and root penetration that restricted interpretation of spatial or temporal differences in use of these features. This pioneering study shows the importance of taking many samples from modern and natural sediments as well as using multi-proxy analysis when conducting sedaDNA metabarcoding studies at open-air archaeological sites. If these factors are taken into consideration, sedaDNA from cooking pits can be a valuable resource for investigating uses of courtyard and cooking pit field sites.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2026

Ancient DNA reveals matrilineal organisation and recurrent unions between dominant matrilines in Iron Age Britain

Kinship practices underpin all traditional societies, forming the basis for socially sanctioned reproductive unions, residence patterns and the inheritance of rights and property1,2. Although the relationship between biological relatedness and kinship is not always straightforward, ancient DNA studies are increasingly used to examine the extent to which biological relatedness underpinned social constructs of kinship in prehistoric societies3-6. Here, we report the analysis of genome-wide data for 534 individuals from the Arras Culture of Middle Iron Age northeast England (including 390 from Wetwang Slack, 100 from Pocklington, and 29 from Melton), finding evidence for communities with kinship systems structured along matrilineal lines. At Wetwang Slack, we reconstruct a 13-generation pedigree comprising 195 individuals structured around female-line connections: matrilineal transmissions greatly outnumbered patrilineal ones and male reproductive partners were largely absent from the cemetery, plausibly because they were buried in their own natal communities. Furthermore, the three main sites with robust sample sizes were characterised by non-overlapping dominant mitochondrial haplogroups, implying a maternal clan-based structure. Reproductive unions at Wetwang Slack suggest a recurrent alliance between two dominant maternal descent groups, with members of each group never reproducing with members of their own maternal lineage. Meanwhile, three individuals from lavishly furnished chariot burials at Wetwang Slack were close maternal relatives belonging to a lineage with consecutive generations of close kin unions, a pattern largely absent among other individuals at the site. These results indicate highly distinctive social practices among an elite group embedded in the wider kinship network of the Arras community.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2025

A curated dataset and web application for Integrative Analysis of Ancient DNA from Britain and Ireland

In recent years, genome-wide data from thousands of ancient human remains have been sequenced, offering unprecedented insights into past populations. This vast dataset of ancient human genomes and their associated metadata holds immense value for archaeologists, anthropologists, and biologists. However, extracting insights often requires advanced bioinformatics knowledge, creating barriers for non-experts. To address this challenge, we present a curated dataset and user-friendly web application for published genome-wide data from ancient Britain and Ireland, including new data produced by the COMMIOS Project. The platform integrates visualization tools, enabling researchers to explore genetic connections between ancient and modern populations without requiring bioinformatics expertise.

genetics↗