Data from: Ancient DNA from mastics solidifies connection between material culture and genetics of Mesolithic hunter-gatherers in Scandinavia

The discussion of an early postglacial dual-route colonization of the
Scandinavian Peninsula is largely based on associating genomic data to an
early dispersal of lithic technology from the East European Plain.
However, a direct link between the two has been lacking. We tackle this
problem by analysing human DNA from birch bark pitch mastics, “chewing
gums”, from Huseby Klev, a site in western Sweden with eastern lithic
technology. We generate genome-wide data for three individuals, and show
their affinity to the Scandinavian hunter-gatherers, more precisely, to
individuals from postglacial Norway and Sweden. Our samples date to
9880-9540 calBP, expanding the temporal range of this genetic group as
well as its distribution. Human DNA from mastics provides a clear
connection between material culture and genetic data. We also propose that
DNA from different types of mastics can be used to study environment,
ecology, and oral microbiome of prehistoric populations.