Abstract
The PRIN2022 project “Shoveling into the North Italian Bronze Age with an integrative approach to unearth origins of a non-metric dental trait” is a multidisciplinary study aimed at investigating the origin and diffusion of the shovel trait — a non-metric dental characteristic — in individuals from the Bronze Age in Northern Italy. Today, this phenotypic trait is common in East Asian and Native American populations, while it is virtually absent in both modern and prehistoric European groups. A recent genetic discovery identified the EDAR gene, known for its pleiotropic effects, as a potential determinant of this trait. The associated variant, which likely originated between 40,000 and 13,000 years ago in Northeast Asia, subsequently spread to South America via migratory waves. Although this trait appears to be absent in the prehistoric Italian record, it has been detected in significant proportions among certain Bronze Age individuals (1859–950 BCE) from Northern Italy — an area strategically positioned in prehistoric European demographic flows. This unexpected presence calls for in-depth investigation. The project aims to test three main hypotheses: 1. Demographic hypothesis – the trait was introduced through migrations from Asia, either contemporaneous with or prior to the Bronze Age; 2. Ancestral inheritance hypothesis – the trait is a legacy of ancient hominin populations; 3. Ecological/adaptive hypothesis – the mutation was favored by local selective pressures. To explore these hypotheses, the project will adopt an integrated approach involving physical anthropology, ancient DNA analysis, stable isotope studies, and comparisons with genetic data from modern populations across different regions. The Bologna research unit, led by Prof. Cristina Giuliani, will analyze the ancient genomes from Northern Italy in relation to current Italian genetic variability through PCA, admixture analysis, D/f statistics, and investigation of EDAR gene variants. Epistatic analyses using machine learning — an emerging method in population genetics — will also be conducted to explore gene–gene interactions involved in the development of the shovel trait. The project will thus contribute to a better understanding of the evolutionary, demographic, and adaptive dynamics of Bronze Age populations in Northern Italy and provide a detailed analyses of the genetic determinants of the shovel-shaped incisors in this period
Dettagli del progetto
Responsabile scientifico: Cristina Giuliani
Strutture Unibo coinvolte:
Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali
Coordinatore:
Università degli Studi di Ferrara - Amministrazione Centrale(Italy)
Contributo totale Unibo: Euro (EUR) 48.145,00
Durata del progetto in mesi: 24
Data di inizio
05/10/2023
Data di fine:
28/02/2026
