Bulgarian Yamnaya 23andme format

The Bulgarian Yamnaya were part of the expansive Yamnaya horizon, a pastoralist culture originating from the Pontic-Caspian steppe around 3300–2600 BCE. Migrating into the Balkans, they settled in parts of present-day Bulgaria, contributing to the cultural and genetic landscape of the region. Their ancestry was a blend of steppe populations with deep ties to the Sredni Stog culture, a precursor to the Yamnaya associated with the domestication of horses and early kurgan burial practices. Additionally, they displayed genetic and cultural influences from Trypillia-Cucuteni farming societies, as well as interactions with indigenous Balkan Neolithic populations. This genetic admixture is evident in their DNA, which shows a combination of Western Steppe Herder (WSH) ancestry and some Near Eastern farmer components from their interactions with the settled agriculturalists of the Balkans.

The Bulgarian Yamnaya's lifestyle was primarily pastoral, focusing on herding cattle, sheep, goats, and horses. They relied on mobile economies, adapting their movements to seasonal grazing cycles. Their migration into the Balkans likely introduced advanced horse-riding and wheeled transport technologies, which facilitated long-distance trade and cultural exchange. Their burial practices revolved around kurgans—mound graves that housed individuals in a supine position with bent knees, covered in ochre. Grave goods often included tools, weapons, and ornaments crafted from bronze, indicating their metallurgical knowledge and trade networks. These burials symbolized a strong emphasis on ancestor worship and hierarchical social structures.

The pottery of the Bulgarian Yamnaya was utilitarian and relatively simple compared to the ornate ceramics of neighboring farming cultures. Their vessels were typically plain, with minimal decoration, reflecting their mobile lifestyle. Despite this, their pottery often included practical features suited for transport and storage, underscoring their adaptation to life on the move.

The Bulgarian Yamnaya also played a key role in shaping the genetic and cultural foundation of Bronze Age Anatolians. Their migration into the Balkans and subsequent interactions with local populations likely contributed to the spread of Indo-European languages and steppe-related ancestry into Anatolia.

For this video, I gathered the raw DNA data of 3 bulgarian Yamnayans, and ran them through my Trait Predictor tool for DNA analysis.