Genetic and historical perspectives on the early medieval inhumations from the Menga dolmen, Antequera (Spain)

A groundbreaking genetic analysis of ancient DNA from the Menga dolmen, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Antequera, Spain, reveals that this Neolithic monument, built around 4000 BCE, was reused as a burial site during the early medieval period (8th–11th centuries CE). The study identified distinct North African and Levantine ancestry contributions in one individual, Menga1, alongside typical European uniparental lineages. This finding highlights complex migration patterns in medieval Iberia and underscores the cultural significance of prehistoric monuments in later historical contexts. The research employed SNP-enrichment techniques to extract highly degraded DNA, offering new insights into the genetic diversity and historical reuse of this iconic site.

Silva, M., García Sanjuán, L., Fichera, A., Oteo-García, G., Foody, M. G. B., Fernández Rodríguez, L. E., Navarrete Pendón, V., Bennison, A. K., Pala, M., Soares, P., Reich, D., Edwards, C. J., & Richards, M. B. (2026). Genetic and historical perspectives on the early medieval inhumations from the Menga dolmen, Antequera (Spain). Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 69, 105559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105559