Papers by Mantas Daubaras
TAGUNGEN DES LANDESMUSEUMS FÜR VORGESCHICHTE HALLE. Band 13, 2015
Stone Age in the Eastern Baltics, embracing Mesolithic (c. 10,000-6,500/6,300 BP) and Neolithic (... more Stone Age in the Eastern Baltics, embracing Mesolithic (c. 10,000-6,500/6,300 BP) and Neolithic (c. 6,500/6,300-3,500 BP), differs from traditional models, as even in the Neolithic in this heavily forested area rich with fishing resources forager subsistence mode persisted. To determine possible skeletal indices of social status, all available skeletons from Lithuania (26) and Latvian Zvejnieki site (223) with well documented archaeological context were investigated. Cases of healed circumscribed inflammatory lesions on skull vaults of five males were noted. In all cases, morphology of changes is suggestive of healed inflammation due to infection on the scalp area. Scalping rituals were widely spread over Eurasia since ancient times, and are related to the archetype of faith in hair’s magical properties. However, as periosteal layer is removed during scalping, subsequent granulation of necrotic area produces slightly depressed area, some kind of “milder” traumatic event causing infection of scalp must be involved. These cases could be suggestive of complex rituals related to social structure: all five individuals are mature or even senile males, two of them had severe pathologies of shoulder joints and forearms, one – specific dental attrition indicating teeth use as a tool, two had graves exceptionally rich in inventory.
Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 2017
The Varniai Regional Park, located in Northwestern Lithuania, is considered a hub of Mesolithic a... more The Varniai Regional Park, located in Northwestern Lithuania, is considered a hub of Mesolithic and Neolithic Baltic culture and contains many sites of importance to Lithuanian history. In July of 2016, non-invasive archaeological investigations were conducted at two different sites in the Varniai Regional Park by means of ground penetrating radar (GPR). The two sites share a similar research goal. In prehistoric times, people settled at or near lake shorelines leaving cultural remains behind. As lake levels changed many of these shorelines became buried under a layer of peat. Due to difficulties in conducting archaeological excavations in this peaty environment, knowing the location of an ancient shoreline is important. Four GPR transects of varying lengths were collected with Sensors and Software PusleEKKO 100 and PusleEKKO 1000 GPR systems at 100, 200, and 225MHz with step sizes of 0.5, 0.05, and 0.05 meters respectively. Topographic data collected with a TopCon laser leveler was used to geometrically correct the GPR data. The resulting transects reveal the truncation of continuous horizontal layers by dipping reflections which are interpreted as ancient buried shorelines. GPR data collected from these two sites have proven useful in identifying desired locations for future archaeological excavations.
Archaeologia Baltica, 2020
This paper presents new bioarchaeological data obtained during the re-analysis of human skeletal ... more This paper presents new bioarchaeological data obtained during the re-analysis of human skeletal materials from the Early-middle neolithic Kretuonas 1 graves, excavated in 1980. The re-analysis of 6 inhumation burials revealed the earliest-known cases from Lithuanian archaeological material to show signs of perimortem cut-marks left on human bones. An evaluation of the first cases of perimortem human bone cut-marks in the broader European archaeological context allowed us to argue that different burial practices existed in Early-middle neolithic communities in the present territory of Lithuania. What is more, we argue that different people received different mortuary practices, and that their cadavers were handled in distinct ways.
This LineView image above is highlighted on the far right GPR depth slice above. This line runs t... more This LineView image above is highlighted on the far right GPR depth slice above. This line runs through a shorter section of the grid, but still contains large amounts of significance. The vertical red oval on the leftt in the above LineView image shows a strong hyperbolic reflections seen at 4.5-4.8m along the above red line. The end of the LineView image above is lacking in reflections, this is seen in the above GPR depth slice at the end of the red line. There are many features in between these features that are seen by the stacking soil reflectance in the LineView.
Nature communications, Jan 30, 2018
While the series of events that shaped the transition between foraging societies and food produce... more While the series of events that shaped the transition between foraging societies and food producers are well described for Central and Southern Europe, genetic evidence from Northern Europe surrounding the Baltic Sea is still sparse. Here, we report genome-wide DNA data from 38 ancient North Europeans ranging from ~9500 to 2200 years before present. Our analysis provides genetic evidence that hunter-gatherers settled Scandinavia via two routes. We reveal that the first Scandinavian farmers derive their ancestry from Anatolia 1000 years earlier than previously demonstrated. The range of Mesolithic Western hunter-gatherers extended to the east of the Baltic Sea, where these populations persisted without gene-flow from Central European farmers during the Early and Middle Neolithic. The arrival of steppe pastoralists in the Late Neolithic introduced a major shift in economy and mediated the spread of a new ancestry associated with the Corded Ware Complex in Northern Europe.
Nature communications, Apr 11, 2018
The original version of this Article omitted references to previous work, which are detailed in t... more The original version of this Article omitted references to previous work, which are detailed in the associated Author Correction. These omissions have been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Recent ancient DNA studies have revealed that the genetic history of modern Europeans was shaped ... more Recent ancient DNA studies have revealed that the genetic history of modern Europeans was shaped by a series of migration and admixture events between deeply diverged groups. While these events are well described in Central and Southern Europe, genetic evidence from Northern Europe surrounding the Baltic Sea is still sparse. Here we report genome-wide DNA data from 24 ancient North Europeans ranging from ~7,500 to 200 calBCE spanning the transition from a hunter-gatherer to an agricultural lifestyle, as well as the adoption of bronze metallurgy. We show that Scandinavia was settled after the retreat of the glacial ice sheets from a southern and a northern route, and that the first Scandinavian Neolithic farmers derive their ancestry from Anatolia 1000 years earlier than previously demonstrated. The range of Western European Mesolithic hunter-gatherers extended to the east of the Baltic Sea, where these populations persisted without gene-flow from Central European farmers until aroun...
Molecular signatures of Yersinia pestis were recently identified in prehistoric Eurasian individu... more Molecular signatures of Yersinia pestis were recently identified in prehistoric Eurasian individuals, thus suggesting Y. pestis caused some form of disease in humans prior to the first historically documented pandemic. Here, we present six new Y. pestis genomes spanning from the European Late Neolithic to the Bronze Age (LNBA) dating from 4,800 to 3,700 BP. We show that all currently investigated LNBA strains form a single genetic clade in the Y. pestis phylogeny that appears to be extinct. Interpreting our data within the context of recent ancient human genomic evidence, which suggests an increase in human mobility during the LNBA, we propose a possible scenario for the spread of Y. pestis during the LNBA: Y. pestis may have entered Europe from Central Eurasia during an expansion of steppe people, persisted within Europe until the mid Bronze Age, and moved back towards Central Eurasia in parallel with subsequent human population movements.
Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 2016
Current biology : CB, Jan 4, 2017
Yersinia pestis, the etiologic agent of plague, is a bacterium associated with wild rodents and t... more Yersinia pestis, the etiologic agent of plague, is a bacterium associated with wild rodents and their fleas. Historically it was responsible for three pandemics: the Plague of Justinian in the 6th century AD, which persisted until the 8th century [1]; the renowned Black Death of the 14th century [2, 3], with recurrent outbreaks until the 18th century [4]; and the most recent 19th century pandemic, in which Y. pestis spread worldwide [5] and became endemic in several regions [6]. The discovery of molecular signatures of Y. pestis in prehistoric Eurasian individuals and two genomes from Southern Siberia suggest that Y. pestis caused some form of disease in humans prior to the first historically documented pandemic [7]. Here, we present six new European Y. pestis genomes spanning the Late Neolithic to the Bronze Age (LNBA; 4,800 to 3,700 calibrated years before present). This time period is characterized by major transformative cultural and social changes that led to cross-European net...
Archaeologia Baltica, 2020
This paper presents new bioarchaeological data obtained during the re-analysis of human skeletal ... more This paper presents new bioarchaeological data obtained during the re-analysis of human skeletal materials from the Early–Middle Neolithic Kretuonas 1 graves, excavated in 1980. The re-analysis of 6 inhumation burials revealed the earliest-known cases from Lithuanian archaeological material to show signs of perimortem cut-marks left on human bones. An evaluation of the first cases of perimortem human bone cut-marks in the broader European archaeological context allowed
us to argue that different burial practices existed in Early–Middle Neolithic communities in the present territory of Lithuania. What is more, we argue that different people received different mortuary practices, and that their cadavers were handled in distinct ways.
While the series of events that shaped the transition between foraging societies and food produce... more While the series of events that shaped the transition between foraging societies and food producers are well described for Central and Southern Europe, genetic evidence from Northern Europe surrounding the Baltic Sea is still sparse. Here, we report genome-wide DNA data from 38 ancient North Europeans ranging from ~9500 to 2200 years before present. Our analysis provides genetic evidence that hunter-gatherers settled Scandinavia via two routes. We reveal that the first Scandinavian farmers derive their ancestry from Anatolia 1000 years earlier than previously demonstrated. The range of Mesolithic Western hunter-gatherers extended to the east of the Baltic Sea, where these populations persisted without gene-flow from Central European farmers during the Early and Middle Neolithic. The arrival of steppe pastoralists in the Late Neolithic introduced a major shift in economy and mediated the spread of a new ancestry associated with the Corded Ware Complex in Northern Europe.
Molecular signatures of Yersinia pestis were recently identified in prehistoric Eurasian individu... more Molecular signatures of Yersinia pestis were recently identified in prehistoric Eurasian individuals, thus suggesting Y. pestis might have caused some form of plague in humans prior to the first historically documented pandemic. Here, we present four new Y. pestis genomes from the European Late Neolithic and Bronze Age (LNBA) dating from 4,500 to 3,700 BP. We show that all currently investigated LNBA strains form a single genetic clade in the Y. pestis phylogeny that appears to be extinct today. Interpreting our data within the context of recent ancient human genomic evidence, which suggests an increase in human mobility during the LNBA, we propose a possible scenario for the spread of Y. pestis during the LNBA: Y. pestis may have entered Europe from Central Eurasia during an expansion of steppe pastoralists, possibly persisted within Europe until the mid Bronze Age, and moved back towards Central Eurasia in subsequent human population movements.
Žvalgomieji tyrimai Biržulio ežero mikroregione
Brief description of the fieldwork from 2014
Within the framework of the Lithuanian Mummy Project, a scientific investigation of the mummified... more Within the framework of the Lithuanian Mummy Project, a scientific investigation of the mummified human
remains found in Lithuania, the authors of this paper attempted to gather as much information as
possible in order to promote and expand the knowledge about the corpses held in the crypt of the Dominican
Church of the Holy Spirit in Vilnius. The data collected enabled the history of the church and its burials
over the course of time to be reconstructed, providing an original and unique window into Lithuania’s past.
New bioarchaeological data obtained during re-analysis of human skeletal remains from Kretuonas E... more New bioarchaeological data obtained during re-analysis of human skeletal remains from Kretuonas Early -Middle Neolithic graves is presented here. New findings include evidence of postmortem animal gnawing, perimortem butchering practices and manipulation of human skeletal remains. These findings enable us to challenge accepted views toward burial practices in the Eastern Baltic area during the Neolithic. We argue that the Neolithic inhabitants of present day Lithuania were no strangers to burial practices, such as excarnation or the intentional manipulation of bones of the deceased. A Kretuonas individual of unknown sex from grave 2 was 14-16 years of age at the time of death. The diaphyses of the individual's left humerus and right femur show clear evidence of intentional repetitive perimortem cutting marks. The nature of the cutmarks suggests that they were made with a fine sharp edge instead of big blunt tool. The intention behind the act of cutting is impossible to establish, but it is safe to say that its primary objective was not necessarily (or at all) meant to remove the soft tissue off the bones as the cut marks may be seen going deep into the bone at numerous times. The manner of cutmarks recorded in this case is also not consistent with the "classical" cases of marrow extraction as in the Kretuonas grave 2 the bones were repetitively cut along their longitudinal axis first and then split transversely. Cutting in this way would expose only a small portion of marrow compared to splitting the bone open along its longitudinal axis.
TAGUNGEN DES LANDESMUSEUMS FÜR VORGESCHICHTE HALLE. Band 13, 2015
Stone Age in the Eastern Baltics, embracing Mesolithic (c. 10,000-6,500/6,300 BP) and Neolithic (... more Stone Age in the Eastern Baltics, embracing Mesolithic (c. 10,000-6,500/6,300 BP) and Neolithic (c. 6,500/6,300-3,500 BP), differs from traditional models, as even in the Neolithic in this heavily forested area rich with fishing resources forager subsistence mode persisted.
To determine possible skeletal indices of social status, all available skeletons from Lithuania (26) and Latvian Zvejnieki site (223) with well documented archaeological context were investigated. Cases of healed circumscribed inflammatory lesions on skull vaults of five males were noted.
In all cases, morphology of changes is suggestive of healed inflammation due to infection on the scalp area. Scalping rituals were widely spread over Eurasia since ancient times, and are related to the archetype of faith in hair’s magical properties. However, as periosteal layer is removed during scalping, subsequent granulation of necrotic area produces slightly depressed area, some kind of “milder” traumatic event causing infection of scalp must be involved. These cases could be suggestive of complex rituals related to social structure: all five individuals are mature or even senile males, two of them had severe pathologies of shoulder joints and forearms, one – specific dental attrition indicating teeth use as a tool, two had graves exceptionally rich in inventory.
Archeologiniai tyrinėjimai Lietuvoje 2013 metais, 2014
2013 m. LII archeologinė ekspedicija tęsė Nidos neolito gyvenvietės 1 tyrimus Kuršių nerijoje, pr... more 2013 m. LII archeologinė ekspedicija tęsė Nidos neolito gyvenvietės 1 tyrimus Kuršių nerijoje, pradėtus 2011 m. (ATL 2011(ATL metais, V., 2012. Darbai vykdyti mokslinio projekto "Lietuvos pajūrio neolitizacija" (VP1−3.1−ŠMM−07−K−03−021) rėmuose. Numatyti tokie uždaviniai: a) rekonstruoti paleo reljefą į P ir Š nuo Nidos akmens amžiaus gyvenvietės; b) nustatyti archeologinio sluoksnio stratigrafiją ir chronologiją gyvenvietės Š dalyje; c) įvertinti archeologinio sluoksnio ir radinių būseną, tyrimų žemiau gruntinio vandens lygio perspektyvas.
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Papers by Mantas Daubaras
us to argue that different burial practices existed in Early–Middle Neolithic communities in the present territory of Lithuania. What is more, we argue that different people received different mortuary practices, and that their cadavers were handled in distinct ways.
remains found in Lithuania, the authors of this paper attempted to gather as much information as
possible in order to promote and expand the knowledge about the corpses held in the crypt of the Dominican
Church of the Holy Spirit in Vilnius. The data collected enabled the history of the church and its burials
over the course of time to be reconstructed, providing an original and unique window into Lithuania’s past.
To determine possible skeletal indices of social status, all available skeletons from Lithuania (26) and Latvian Zvejnieki site (223) with well documented archaeological context were investigated. Cases of healed circumscribed inflammatory lesions on skull vaults of five males were noted.
In all cases, morphology of changes is suggestive of healed inflammation due to infection on the scalp area. Scalping rituals were widely spread over Eurasia since ancient times, and are related to the archetype of faith in hair’s magical properties. However, as periosteal layer is removed during scalping, subsequent granulation of necrotic area produces slightly depressed area, some kind of “milder” traumatic event causing infection of scalp must be involved. These cases could be suggestive of complex rituals related to social structure: all five individuals are mature or even senile males, two of them had severe pathologies of shoulder joints and forearms, one – specific dental attrition indicating teeth use as a tool, two had graves exceptionally rich in inventory.
us to argue that different burial practices existed in Early–Middle Neolithic communities in the present territory of Lithuania. What is more, we argue that different people received different mortuary practices, and that their cadavers were handled in distinct ways.
remains found in Lithuania, the authors of this paper attempted to gather as much information as
possible in order to promote and expand the knowledge about the corpses held in the crypt of the Dominican
Church of the Holy Spirit in Vilnius. The data collected enabled the history of the church and its burials
over the course of time to be reconstructed, providing an original and unique window into Lithuania’s past.
To determine possible skeletal indices of social status, all available skeletons from Lithuania (26) and Latvian Zvejnieki site (223) with well documented archaeological context were investigated. Cases of healed circumscribed inflammatory lesions on skull vaults of five males were noted.
In all cases, morphology of changes is suggestive of healed inflammation due to infection on the scalp area. Scalping rituals were widely spread over Eurasia since ancient times, and are related to the archetype of faith in hair’s magical properties. However, as periosteal layer is removed during scalping, subsequent granulation of necrotic area produces slightly depressed area, some kind of “milder” traumatic event causing infection of scalp must be involved. These cases could be suggestive of complex rituals related to social structure: all five individuals are mature or even senile males, two of them had severe pathologies of shoulder joints and forearms, one – specific dental attrition indicating teeth use as a tool, two had graves exceptionally rich in inventory.