Shepherds’ Terminology in the Balkans Against the Background of Genetic Profiles and Archaeological Cultures from Neolithic Southeast Europe
Shepherds’ Terminology in the Balkans Against the Background of Genetic Profiles and Archaeological Cultures from Neolithic Southeast Europe

Summary/Abstract: Starting from a lack of consensus regarding the origin of shepherds’ terminology in the Balkans, we apply the experimental, but so far highly successful approach of triangulation, proposed in Robbeets et al. (2021) for anthropological and linguistic purposes. It involves the triangulation of insights from the spheres of archaeology, human genetics and diachronic linguistics/anthropology. This is because the characteristic terminology of shepherds’ culture in the Balkans and the Carpathian mountain range is a prominent and simultaneously common feature. We attempt to shed light on developments in that region during prehistoric times and the possible links between the ancient shepherds’ culture in the Balkans and the Carpathian mountain ranges, and the oldest migration streams into Southeast Europe in a Neolithic context. To do so, we examine the archaeological cultures in question and consider what human genetics can tell us about the individuals taking part in prehistorical migrations and forming innovative cultures.

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