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A European population in Minoan Bronze Age Crete

Author

Listed:
  • Jeffery R. Hughey

    (Hartnell College, 411 Central Ave.)

  • Peristera Paschou

    (Democritus University of Thrace)

  • Petros Drineas

    (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)

  • Donald Mastropaolo

    (Division of Medical Genetics University of Washington)

  • Dimitra M. Lotakis

    (Division of Medical Genetics University of Washington)

  • Patrick A. Navas

    (Division of Medical Genetics University of Washington)

  • Manolis Michalodimitrakis

    (University of Crete)

  • John A. Stamatoyannopoulos

    (University of Washington)

  • George Stamatoyannopoulos

    (University of Washington)

Abstract

The first advanced Bronze Age civilization of Europe was established by the Minoans about 5,000 years before present. Since Sir Arthur Evans exposed the Minoan civic centre of Knossos, archaeologists have speculated on the origin of the founders of the civilization. Evans proposed a North African origin; Cycladic, Balkan, Anatolian and Middle Eastern origins have also been proposed. Here we address the question of the origin of the Minoans by analysing mitochondrial DNA from Minoan osseous remains from a cave ossuary in the Lassithi plateau of Crete dated 4,400–3,700 years before present. Shared haplotypes, principal component and pairwise distance analyses refute the Evans North African hypothesis. Minoans show the strongest relationships with Neolithic and modern European populations and with the modern inhabitants of the Lassithi plateau. Our data are compatible with the hypothesis of an autochthonous development of the Minoan civilization by the descendants of the Neolithic settlers of the island.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeffery R. Hughey & Peristera Paschou & Petros Drineas & Donald Mastropaolo & Dimitra M. Lotakis & Patrick A. Navas & Manolis Michalodimitrakis & John A. Stamatoyannopoulos & George Stamatoyannopoulos, 2013. "A European population in Minoan Bronze Age Crete," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-7, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:4:y:2013:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms2871
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2871
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