Ancient genomes suggest the eastern Pontic-Caspian steppe as the source of western Iron Age Nomads

For millennia, the Pontic-Caspian steppe has been connector between the Eurasian Steppe and Europe. It witnessed multidirectional, sequential movements of different populations, including Eurasian steppe nomads. We sequenced 35 low-medium coverage genomes of Bronze Age individuals (Srubnaya-Alakulskaya) and Iron Age Nomads (Cimmerians, Scythians, Sarmatians) representing four distinct cultural entities corresponding to the chronological culture succession in the region. Our results suggest that despite the presence of genetic interactions between these groups, none can be considered a direct ancestor of the chronologically following group. The nomadic populations were heterogenous and carried genetic affinities with peoples from several other regions including the Far East and the southern Urals. We found evidence of a seemingly stable shared genetic signature making the eastern Pontic-Caspian steppe a likely source of western Nomadic groups.