Ancient DNA reveals monozygotic newborn twins from the Upper Palaeolithic

• DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01372-8
• Publication Date: 2020-11-06T11:02:46Z
• Authors: Maria Teschler-Ni...; Daniel Fernandes; Marc Händel; Thomas Einwögerer; Ulrich Simon; Christine Neugeba...; Stefan Tangl; Patrick Heimel; Toni Dobsak; Anika Retzmann; Thomas Prohaska; Johanna Irrgeher; Douglas J. Kennett; Iñigo Olalde; David Reich; Ron Pinhasi
• Keywords: Ancient DNA

Abstract The Upper Palaeolithic double burial of newborns and the single a ca. 3-month-old infant uncovered at Gravettian site Krems-Wachtberg, Austria, are paramount importance given rarity immature human remains from this time. Genome-wide ancient DNA shows that male infants grave earliest reported case monozygotic twins, while grave´s individual was their 3rd-degree relative. We assessed individuals´ age death by applying histological µCT inspection maxillary second incisors (i2) in conjunction with C- N-isotope ratios Barium (Ba) intake as biomarker for breastfeeding. results show twins were full-term newborns, 2 died birth, 1 survived about 50 days. findings mortuary behaviour also included re-opening manipulation its layout content.