aDNA-Analysen zum spätmerowingischen Kinderdoppelgrab unter dem Frankfurter Dom

Abstract

aDNA Analyses of the Late Merovingian Children’s Double Tomb under Frankfurt Cathedral In this paper we present the results of the DNA analysis (Jan Cem perKiesslich, University of Salzburg and Christina Amory & Walther Parson, Medical University of Innsbruck) of several samples from unburned facial bones recovered from a late Merovingian chamber grave under the Church of St. Bartholomew (“Cathedral”) in Frankfurt am Main / Germany, containing two children. According aDNA-Analysen zum spätmerowingischen Kinderdoppelgrab unter dem Frankfurter Dom Jan Cemper-Kiesslich Christina Amory Walther Parson Egon Wamers to archaeological and anthropological data, the remains belong to a 4–5-year-old female infant hailing from the upper class society in Eastern Francia. The second individual, of unknown sex and further characteristics but of approximately the same age, consists of cremated bones – hence no suitable sample for DNA analysis was found. We established an autosomal DNA fingerprint as well as a complete mitochondrial DNA sequence for the unburned remains. The DNA results confirmed the biological sex as female – however, the assessment of phenotypical markers such as pigmentation was not feasible due to extensive DNA degradation. The mitochondrial DNA data correspond to haplotype U5b2a1a, currently found all over Europe, with a high concentration in western Europe, and belonging to the ancient European haplogroup U5. Due to the reputed rare occurrence of U5 in prehistoric times, a more detailed bio-ethnic provenancing was not feasible.