In recent years, advances in ancient DNA analysis have transformed our understanding of early medieval European societies. One striking example is the 2018 study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), which revealed a surprising degree of female mobility in southern Germany during the 5th and 6th centuries CE. The research, titled "Understanding 1,500 years of genomic history in eastern Central Europe" (Haak et al., 2018), examined the genomes of 41 individuals buried in six early medieval cemeteries in Bavaria.
A Window into the Past Through DNA
The study analyzed 26 female and 10 male genomes, uncovering stark differences between the sexes. While the male individuals shared a largely homogeneous ancestry rooted in central and northern Europe, the female individuals—particularly those with artificially elongated skulls—displayed extraordinarily diverse genetic backgrounds.
These women came from regions far beyond Bavaria, including southeastern Europe (modern-day Romania and Bulgaria) and even Central or East Asia. The presence of intentional cranial deformation, a practice commonly associated with nomadic steppe populations, particularly the Huns, strongly supports the idea that these women were migrants of Hunnic origin.
AED_1108: A Hunnic Woman in Bavaria
Among the most remarkable discoveries was the individual labeled AED_1108, buried in the cemetery of Altenerding. This woman had a distinctively elongated skull and exhibited approximately 20% East Asian genetic ancestry, a feature virtually absent in the surrounding population. Her combination of cranial morphology and ancestry is consistent with what is known of Hunnic women, who are historically documented and archaeologically attested to have practiced skull elongation and to have originated from the Eurasian steppes.
Her genomic profile suggests that she (or perhaps her mother or grandmother) originated from a region thousands of kilometers to the east—potentially from the Eurasian Steppe or even further into Central Asia. Despite her exotic origin, she was buried with local customs, indicating that she was fully integrated into the Bavarian community.
Implications: Migration, Alliance, and Female Agency
These findings challenge the traditional narrative that views early medieval migration in Europe primarily through the lens of male warriors and invasions. Instead, they reveal a more nuanced picture in which women played a central role in long-distance mobility, possibly through diplomatic marriages, alliance-building, or social exchange networks.
The hypothesis of "treaty brides"—foreign women brought into local communities to solidify political ties—is particularly compelling in this context. Women like AED_1108 may have been key agents of cultural exchange, carrying with them not only genetic diversity but also new customs and practices.
Conclusion
The case of AED_1108 is more than a genetic anomaly; it is a testament to the complex social fabric of early medieval Europe. Far from being passive figures in history, these women were highly mobile, influential actors whose movements shaped the genetic and cultural landscape of the continent.
As ancient DNA studies continue to refine our understanding of the past, stories like that of AED_1108 remind us that migration, integration, and identity have always been central to the human experience—even in the early Middle Ages.