Archaeogenetic analysis of an individual from a burial site at the ancient Yaroslavl Kremlin

He Mongol invasion of Russia, which began in the fall of 1237, led to the devastation and defeat of vast areas of the ancient Russian state. Excavations on the territory of ancient Yaroslavl revealed mass simultaneous burials corresponding in time to the attack of the army of Batu Khan, which testify to the brutal ravaging of the city by a professionally paramilitary detachment of horsemen in 1238. Of particular interest is Individual № 2 from Collective Burial № 76, the remains of which have already been the object of study by anthropologists on several occasions. Based on archaeological and anthropological data, it was concluded that this man was a frequent rider and experienced regular heavy physical activity, probably related to his professional specialization. It has been suggested that this person belonged to the military elite or craftsmen. It was noted that the skull of this individual has features typical of the skulls of the «Zlivka type» (Caucasoid with a weakened horizontal profile), which formed the basis of the population of Volga Bulgaria. The unique boots belonging to this man were presumably common among the Cumans. We isolated DNA from the femur and tooth fragments of Individual No. 2 and used it for genomic analysis. We have reconstructed the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence. The haplogroup of mitochondrial DNA identified in Individual № 2 is characteristic of modern and ancient European populations, which allows us to assume a European origin of the studied individual through the maternal lineage.