Ancient genomes suggest the eastern Pontic-Caspian steppe as the source of western Iron Age nomads

For millennia, the Pontic-Caspian steppewas a connector between the Eurasian steppeand Europe. In this scene, multidirectional and sequential movements of different populations may have occurred, including those of the Eurasian steppenomads. We sequenced 35 genomes (low to medium coverage) of Bronze Ageindividuals (Srubnaya-Alakulskaya) and Iron Agenomads ( Cimmerians, Scythians, and Sarmatians) that represent four distinct cultural entities corresponding to the chronological sequence of cultural complexes in the region. Our results suggest that, despite genetic links among these peoples, no group can be considered a direct ancestor of the subsequent group. The nomadic populations were heterogeneous and carried genetic affinities with populations from several other regions including the Far Eastand the southern Urals. We found evidence of a stable shared genetic signature, making the eastern Pontic-Caspian steppea likely source of western nomadic groups.