Starting from 12,000 years ago in the Middle East, the Neolithic lifestyle spread across Europe via separate continental and Mediterranean routes. Genomes from early European farmers have shown a clear Near Eastern/Anatolian genetic affinity with limited contribution from hunter-gatherers. However, no genomic data are available from modern-day France, where both routes converged, as evidenced by a mosaic cultural pattern. Here, we present genome-wide data from 101 individuals from 12 sites covering today’s France and Germany from the Mesolithic (N = 3) to the Neolithic (N = 98) (7000–3000 BCE). Using the genetic substructure observed in European hunter-gatherers, we characterize diverse patterns of admixture in different regions, consistent with both routes of expansion. Early western European farmers show a higher proportion of distinctly western hunter-gatherer ancestry compared to central/southeastern farmers. Our data highlight the complexity of the biological interactions during the Neolithic expansion by revealing major regional variations.

Recent paleogenetic studies have confirmed that the spread of the Neolithic across Europe was neither genetically nor geographically uniform. To extend existing knowledge of the mitochondrial European Neolithic gene pool, we examined six samples of human skeletal material from a French megalithic long mound (c.4200 cal BC). We retrieved HVR-I sequences from three individuals and demonstrated that in the Neolithic period the mtDNA haplogroup N1a, previously only known in central Europe, was as widely distributed as western France. Alternative scenarios are discussed in seeking to explain this result, including Mesolithic ancestry, Neolithic demic diffusion, and long-distance matrimonial exchanges. In light of the limited Neolithic ancient DNA (aDNA) data currently available, we observe that all three scenarios appear equally consistent with paleogenetic and archaeological data. In consequence, we advocate caution in interpreting aDNA in the context of the Neolithic transition in Europe. Nevertheless, our results strengthen conclusions demonstrating genetic discontinuity between modern and ancient Europeans whether through migration, demographic or selection processes, or social practices.

La grotte du Taillis des Coteaux à Antigny (Vienne), découverte en 1998, est fouillée depuis 2000. Elle conserve une stratigraphie exceptionnelle, comprenant la quasi-totalité du Paléolithique supérieur, depuis l’Aurignacien jusqu’au Magdalénien moyen, en passant par le Gravettien, le Badegoulien et le Magdalénien inférieur. Ce dernier, le niveau AG-IIIa, fouillé sur une vingtaine de m2 dans le talus de la grotte, retient ici notre attention. Il livre un assemblage archéologique aux caractères typotechnologiques originaux évoquant le Magdalénien, mais dont les datations autour de 17000 BP se rapprochent plutôt du Badegoulien. Les auteurs présentent ici les principaux caractères de l’industrie lithique et plus particulièrement le débitage lamellaire. Une discussion est proposée afin de rapprocher l’industrie du niveau AG-IIIa d’un Magdalénien inférieur.