Corded Ware cultural complexity uncovered using genomic and isotopic analysis from south-eastern Poland

During the Final Eneolithic the Corded Ware Culture (CWC) emerges, chiefly identified by itsspecific burial rites. This complex spanned most of central Europe and exhibits demographicand cultural associations to the Yamnaya culture. To study the genetic structure and kin relationsin CWC communities, we sequenced the genomes of 19 individuals located in the heartland ofthe CWC complex region, south-eastern Poland. Whole genome sequence and strontium isotopedata allowed us to investigate genetic ancestry, admixture, kinship and mobility. The analysisshowed a unique pattern, not detected in other parts of Poland; maternally the individuals arelinked to earlier Neolithic lineages, whereas on the paternal side a Yamnaya and Catacombnayaancestry is clearly visible. We identified three cases of kinship. Of these two were betweenindividuals buried in double graves. Interestingly, we identified kinship between a local and anon-local individual thus discovering a novel, previously unknown burial custom.