Sex bias in <scp>N</scp>eolithic megalithic burials

Elliott, Elliot; Saupe, Tina; Thompson, Jess E.; Robb, John; Scheib, Christiana L.

doi:10.1002/ajpa.24645

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…While not necessarily very useful in most genomics analyses, the biological sex of individuals across regions, periods, sites etc. can inform on social, behavioural and cultural aspects 84 – 87 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving data archiving practices in ancient genomics

Bergström

2024

Sci Data

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Ancient DNA is producing a rich record of past genetic diversity in humans and other species. However, unless the primary data is appropriately archived, its long-term value will not be fully realised. I surveyed publicly archived data from 42 recent ancient genomics studies. Half of the studies archived incomplete datasets, preventing accurate replication and representing a loss of data of potential future use. No studies met all criteria that could be considered best practice. Based on these results, I make six recommendations for data producers: (1) archive all sequencing reads, not just those that aligned to a reference genome, (2) archive read alignments too, but as secondary analysis files, (3) provide correct experiment metadata on samples, libraries and sequencing runs, (4) provide informative sample metadata, (5) archive data from low-coverage and negative experiments, and (6) document archiving choices in papers, and peer review these. Given the reliance on destructive sampling of finite material, ancient genomics studies have a particularly strong responsibility to ensure the longevity and reusability of generated data.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving data archiving practices in ancient genomics

Bergström

2024

Sci Data

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Section: Archive Data From Low-coverage Screening and Negative Experi...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving data archiving practices in ancient genomics

Bergström

2023

Preprint

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The sequencing of ancient DNA from preserved biological remains is producing a rich record of past genetic diversity in humans and other species. However, unless the primary data is made available in public archives in an appropriate fashion, its long-term value will not be fully realised. I surveyed publicly archived data from 28 recent ancient genomics studies. I found that half of the studies archived incomplete subsets of the generated genomic data, preventing accurate replication and representing a loss of data of potential use for future research. None of the studies met all archiving criteria that could be considered best practice. Based on these results, I make six recommendations for data producers: 1) archive all sequencing reads, not just those that can be aligned to a reference genome, 2) archive read alignments as well, but as secondary analysis files linked to the underlying raw read files, 3) provide correct experiment metadata on how samples, libraries and sequencing runs relate to each other, 4) provide informative sample metadata in the public archives, 5) publish and archive data from screening, low-coverage, poorly performing and negative experiments, and 6) review data archiving as part of peer review processes. Given the reliance on destructive sampling of finite material, I argue that ancient genomics studies have a particularly strong responsibility to ensure the longevity and reusability of generated data.

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“…The study of post‐marital residence patterns in prehistory is a topic in recent anthropological, archeological, bioarcheological, and aDNA research (Brewer, 2016; Chylenski et al, 2019; Cichon, 2022; Cintas‐Peña & Herrero‐Corral, 2020; Cocilovo et al, 2018; Elliott et al, 2023; Hrncír, Duda, et al, 2020; Hrncír, Vondrovský, & Kvetina, 2020; Jones, 2011; Jordan et al, 2009; Kennett et al, 2017; Kenoyer et al, 2013; Lalueza‐Fox et al, 2010; Moussa et al, 2021; Peregrine, 2001; Prevedorou, 2015; Prevedorou & Stojanowski, 2017; Rivollat et al, 2022; Sanger et al, 2020; Schiesberg, 2016; Stojanowski & Schillaci, 2006; Valentine et al, 2015). Post‐marital residence patterns in prehistory are inferred studying skeletal and dental morphological traits, stable isotopes in dental enamel, X‐chromosomal heterozygosity, mtDNA and Y‐chromosomal haplotypes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Female biased adult sex ratio in the Bronze Age cemetery of Shahr‐i Sokhta (Iran) as an indicator of long distance trade and matrilocality

Vincenti,

Molinaro,

Sajjadi

et al. 2024

American Journal of Biological Anthropology

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ObjectivesThis paper starts from the unusual observation of the overrepresentation of females among adults in the cemetery of Bronze Age Shahr‐i Sokhta (Seistan, Iran) and explores the post marital residence pattern. By integrating taphonomical (skeletal preservation), anthropological (sex ratio [SR], sexual dimorphism, stress indicators, age at death), archeological (long distance trade indicators, habitation floor area, social role of women), and ancient DNA (heterozygosity levels in X chromosomes) data we test the hypothesis of post marital matrilocality in the site.MethodsWe computed the SR (pelvis‐based sex determination) in a random unpublished adult sample from the cemetery of Shahr‐i Sokhta and in two samples previously published by other authors. We used comparative data on SR from: a large Supra Regional multi‐chronological sample of sites, n = 47, with 8808 adult sexed individuals, from Southern Europe, Egypt, Middle East, Southern Russia; a Regional Bronze Age sample of sites (n = 10) from Bactria Margiana and Indus Valley with 1324 adult sexed individuals. We estimated the heterozygosity levels in X chromosomes compared with the rest of the autosomes on the assumption that in a matrilocal society females should show lower variability than men.ResultsAdult SR in a sample (n = 549) from Shahr‐i Sokhta is 70.5, the overrepresentation of females is shared with Regional Bronze Age sites from Bactria Margiana (SR = 72.09) and Indus Valley (SR = 67.54). On the contrary, in a larger Supra Regional multi‐chronological sample of sites, mean SR ranges between 112.7 (Bronze Age) and 163.1 (Middle Ages). Taphonomical and anthropological indicators do not explain the overrepresentation of female skeletons. Archeological indicators suggest a high social status of women and that the society was devoted to long range trade activities. heterozygosity levels in X chromosomes are in agreement with a matrilocal society.ConclusionsIndicators suggest that Bronze Age Shahr‐ì Sokhta was a matrilocal society and that long distance trade was an important economic factor producing an overrepresentation of adult female skeletons in the cemetery.

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Sex bias in Neolithic megalithic burials

Cited by 5 publications

References 32 publications

Improving data archiving practices in ancient genomics

Improving data archiving practices in ancient genomics

Improving data archiving practices in ancient genomics

Female biased adult sex ratio in the Bronze Age cemetery of Shahr‐i Sokhta (Iran) as an indicator of long distance trade and matrilocality

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