DNA reveals sexual and marital patterns in powerful European empires

Research analyzing ancient DNA taken from Avar tombs has revealed the origins, as well as the sexual and marital patterns of this powerful empire.

The Avars are a mysterious nomadic people who dominated Central and Eastern Europe for 250 years, from the mid-sixth century. They were famous for their fierce mounted warriors and once terrified the Byzantine Empire. However, due to the lack of written records, the history and culture of the Avar people still remains mysterious.

Recently, scientists have used ancient DNA to reveal more secrets about the Avars, including their origins, family structure, social life and how they interacted with indigenous people.

Excavation of the Avar cemetery in Rákóczifalva, Hungary took place in 2006. (Photo: Institute of Archaeological Sciences/Eötvös Loránd University Museum).

A 2022 study analyzing DNA from the graves of Avar elites found they originated in the Mongolian steppes, migrating to Europe after being defeated by the Turks in 550.

Analyzing DNA from 424 individuals buried in four Hungarian cemeteries, researchers were able to construct detailed genealogies, the largest of which spanned nine generations over two and a half centuries. The team discovered that approximately 300 individuals were closely related to each other buried in the same cemetery.

Analysis shows that the Avars have a patrilineal family system, where children belong to the father's family and lineage is passed from father to son.

Interestingly, Avar women often marry men from other communities, while men stay in their community after marriage . It can be seen that women play an important role in connecting Avar communities together.

Research also shows that it is relatively common for both men and women in Avar society to have children with multiple partners. The explanation for this could be polygamy (a man having many wives) or monogamy (marrying multiple times, each time with only one wife).

In addition, many cases of closely related men have been found to have children with the same woman, showing that they can accept inbreeding to a certain extent.

DNA research cannot provide complete information about gender roles in Avar society. Men's graves often contain highly valuable burial items such as horses, saddles and bridles, but archaeologists believe that women played an important role in maintaining social cohesion and spreading the word. culture.

To date, about 100,000 Avar graves have been excavated, making them an important part of Europe's archaeological heritage.

The Avars left a great legacy to Europe. They are credited with bringing the stirrup saddle to Europe – a transformative technology that made horseback warfare possible and was later widely adopted across the continent.