Ancient DNA Shatters the Simple Story of Europe’s Origins

Ancient DNA from Belgium, the Netherlands, and nearby regions reveals higher-than-expected local hunter-gatherer ancestry in later Neolithic populations.

The findings show Europe’s prehistory was shaped by repeated mixing among hunter-gatherers, Anatolian farmers, and steppe migrants, rather than three clean replacement waves.

This complicates the standard model of European origins and points to long-term local continuity in northwest Europe.

The study also suggests a major population turnover in late Neolithic Britain.