Bioarchaeological analyses of mobility, demography, and pathology in Final Neolithic and Early Bronze Age populations in Baden-Württemberg (Southwest Germany)

Abstract

Several migration events during the third to mid-second millennia BC mark a major turning point in Central European prehistory, leading to the emergence of the Final Neolithic cultural complexes of the Corded Ware and Bell Beaker, as well as multiple Early Bronze Age cultural groups. In Southwest Germany, their partial coexistence fostered complex trajectories of cultural transmission, adaptation, and genetic exchange, making the region particularly relevant for bioarchaeological research. This dissertation aims to reconstruct the local population development of Corded Ware and Neckar Group societies in the Tauber and Neckar River regions. Three case studies apply distinct palaeoanthropological methods to human skeletal remains, with a particular focus on diachronic comparison. In the first case study, a newly developed software tool was used to perform biodistance analyses based on dental metric and non-metric traits. The results support previous archaeological, genetic, and isotopic findings from neighbouring regions, suggesting population continuity. Temporal variation in dental traits points to possible isolation of particular populations. Evidence of childhood mobility further indicates interactions between neighbouring sites and the practice of fostering children. These findings provide a nuanced perspective on gene flow and sociocultural practices between local groups. The second study investigated demographic patterns using life table analysis. Mortality profiles and life expectancy indicate diachronic changes, with female individuals of infant, juvenile, and adult age most affected. These patterns likely reflect sociocultural factors such as potential female child neglect or infanticide, juvenile pregnancies, and improving living conditions for adult females, which is consistent with observations from other regions. The results offer insights into sex related mortality risks during cultural transitions. The third study focused on biological stress indicators through palaeopathological analyses and examined their association with mortality and cultural practices. Results show sexspecific patterns in dental disease, suggesting differences in diet and tooth use. Degenerative joint diseases indicate sex division of labour, different subsistence strategies in the Final Neolithic, which shifts towards greater task specialisation and occupational homogenisation in the Early Bronze Age. Non-specific stress markers reflect childhood stress and sex-related weaning practices. Evidence of trauma includes the practice of trepanation in the Final Neolithic, increasing strenuous labour through traumatic joint disease, and constant fracture rates. The presence of neoplastic disease in the Early Bronze Age may be linked to lifestyle, working conditions, or genetic predisposition. These findings underscore the sociocultural impact on biological stress. In conclusion, this dissertation employs diverse palaeoanthropological approaches to explore population development and assess the impact of cultural change on past lives. It emphasises the value of localised studies in contributing to scientific discussions of prehistoric societies across Central Europe.