New study reveals the community structure and culture of the ancient Xiongnu Empire
The mysteries of Xiongnu or Hunnu, the first nomadic empire of the world, is finally coming to light thanks to novel ancient DNA evidence
The mysteries of Xiongnu or Hunnu, the first nomadic empire of the world, is finally coming to light thanks to novel ancient DNA evidence and archaeological excavations by the international collaboration of researchers from Harvard University, the University of Michigan, Seoul National University, and the Max Planck Institute. The researchers sequenced the genomes of 17 individuals that were buried in the two cemeteries. They found an “extremely high” level of genetic diversity, which suggests that the empire was multicultural, multiethnic, and multilingual. They also found levels of diversity according to the individual’s social status. Low-status individuals, likely servants, had the highest level of genetic diversity. On the other hand, the elites, indicated by the burial sites and tombs, had the lowest levels. This suggests they used marriage to strengthen connections to newly added groups. Evidence from the cemeteries also shows women had an important role in the Xiongnu empire, as high-status burials and “elite grave goods” such as silk clothing was strongly associated with women. Their tombs included emblems of imperial power and were flanked by low-status males. One tomb even had a team of six hoses and a chariot. The researchers also looked at the children, finding that gendered roles, such as hunters, weren’t assigned to boys until adolescence. Adolescents were buried with similar elements to young men, such as bows, but younger boys weren’t. “Children received different mortuary treatment depending upon age and sex,” study author Christina Warriner said. While the Xiongnu empire disintegrated in the late 1st century CE, the findings suggest their social and cultural legacy continued under the Mongol Empire.
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