New analysis of ancient teeth from the world’s first farming villages reveals they were not isolated, fearful enclaves but rather dynamic communities that welcomed newcomers. The research, which chemically maps the geographic origins of individuals from Neolithic Syria, shows that as agriculture took root, people—especially women—began moving between settlements, where they were integrated and treated as equals, even in death.
This insight into the social fabric of early agricultural life is rewriting the story of the Neolithic revolution, a pivotal period from roughly 11,600 to 7,500 years ago when humans shifted from nomadic hunting and gathering to a settled, agrarian lifestyle. By examining the strontium and oxygen isotopes preserved in tooth enamel, scientists can now trace the movements of people from millennia ago, demonstrating that after an initial phase of localism, these societies became increasingly interconnected and mobile. This flow of people fostered new social structures and cultural exchanges that laid the groundwork for future civilizations.
Unlocking a Chemical Past
The foundation of the new study, published in Scientific Reports, lies in the remarkable ability of teeth to preserve a record of a person’s early life. As teeth develop during childhood, the enamel locks in chemical elements from the food and water consumed. These elements, specifically isotopes of strontium and oxygen, vary geographically, creating a permanent signature of where an individual grew up.
Reading the Isotope Signatures
Researchers analyzed teeth from 71 individuals excavated from five Neolithic archaeological sites in modern-day Syria. By measuring the ratios of strontium and oxygen isotopes in the tooth enamel, they could determine whether an individual was “local”—meaning they grew up near the site where they were buried—or a “non-local” who had migrated there later in life. This method provides direct evidence of human mobility patterns long before written records existed.
Patterns of Movement Over Time
The findings revealed a distinct shift in mobility throughout the Neolithic period. During the earliest stage, known as the Pre-Pottery Neolithic A, individuals largely remained in their home villages, with little contact between settlements. However, by the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B and especially the Late Neolithic, the isotopic data showed a significant increase in the number of people on the move, traveling and relocating to neighboring communities as connections between regions deepened.
The Social Fabric of Early Villages
The increased movement of people had profound effects on the social dynamics of these early farming communities. The data suggests that as villages grew and networks expanded, social strategies evolved to incorporate outsiders, creating more complex and resilient societies. This mobility was not random but followed specific social patterns that researchers are now beginning to understand.
Women on the Move
A key finding from the study is that women were particularly mobile during the Late Neolithic. This pattern strongly suggests the practice of patrilocality, a social system where a married couple settles in or near the husband’s family’s home. The movement of women between villages would have been crucial for establishing alliances, exchanging cultural knowledge, and ensuring genetic diversity among different communities. This practice highlights the integral role women played in weaving together the social landscape of the Neolithic world.
Shared Rituals in Life and Death
Perhaps the most compelling evidence for the acceptance of outsiders comes from the funerary practices of these early farmers. During the Neolithic, the home became a central place for ritual, and the dead were often buried within the household, frequently under the floors of sleeping platforms. This practice signified a deep connection to place and ancestry, making the treatment of non-locals in these sacred spaces particularly significant.
Equal Rites for All
At the Syrian site of Tell Halula, researchers found that locals and non-locals were buried together in the same houses and treated with identical funerary rites. Both groups were placed in the same seated position and were buried with similar items, including stone beads, tools, and belts made of marine shells. This equal treatment in death strongly implies that newcomers were not only accepted but fully integrated into the community, sharing the same social status as those born there. This demonstrates that Neolithic villages were not closed-off entities but were open to and assimilated outsiders into their communities.
A Broader Agricultural Revolution
The developments in the Levant were part of a wider transformation. Around 8,000 years ago, farming groups spread from the Middle East into Europe, following two main routes: one up the Danube River into Central Europe, and another along the Mediterranean coast to the Iberian Peninsula. This expansion marked the beginning of the Neolithic period in Europe, fundamentally changing human societies from hunter-gatherer to agricultural economies.
Genetic Insights from a Single Tooth
Complementary research on a 7,400-year-old tooth from a cave in Catalonia, Spain, showcases the power of dental analysis. DNA sequencing of this single tooth revealed its owner was a woman with light skin, dark hair, and brown eyes who was lactose intolerant. While the Syrian study focused on isotopes to trace mobility, genetic analysis like this provides a different kind of detail, painting a vivid picture of the individuals who lived through this transformative period and helping scientists understand our own evolution from these early agricultural ancestors.