biostudies-literatureMarjanovic DAustrian Science Fund FWFInstitute for Anthropological Research80https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12841005biostudies-literatureUnknown17(1)<h4>Background/objectives</h4>Southeastern Europe and Croatia have served as a genetic crossroads between the Near East and Europe since prehistoric times, shaped by numerous and repeated migrations. By integrating 19 newly generated ancient genomes with 285 previously published ancient genomes from Croatia, we investigated patterns of maternal and paternal landscapes from the Neolithic, Bronze, and Iron Ages through to the Antiquity and medieval periods, as well as the modern Croatian population.<h4>Methods</h4>Ancient DNA extraction from human remains and library preparation were conducted in dedicated clean-room facilities, followed by high-throughput sequencing on the Illumina platform. Sequencing data were analyzed with established pipelines to determine mitochondrial and Y-chromosomaGenesAt the Crossroads of Continents: Ancient DNA Insights into the Maternal and Paternal Population History of Croatia.PMC12841005BioAntroPop10.55776/P36433Havas Augustin DNovak MGelabert PKruzic IPrimorac DMarjanovic DCheronet OPinhasi RLauc GNovokmet NSarac JBasic ZfalseAt the Crossroads of Continents: Ancient DNA Insights into the Maternal and Paternal Population History of Croatia.<h4>Background/objectives</h4>Southeastern Europe and Croatia have served as a genetic crossroads between the Near East and Europe since prehistoric times, shaped by numerous and repeated migrations. By integrating 19 newly generated ancient genomes with 285 previously published ancient genomes from Croatia, we investigated patterns of maternal and paternal landscapes from the Neolithic, Bronze, and Iron Ages through to the Antiquity and medieval periods, as well as the modern Croatian population.<h4>Methods</h4>Ancient DNA extraction from human remains and library preparation were conducted in dedicated clean-room facilities, followed by high-throughput sequencing on the Illumina platform. Sequencing data were analyzed with established pipelines to determine mitochondrial and Y-chromosoma2026-01-01T00:00:00Z2026 Jan2026-06-15T03:18:51.962Z2026-06-15T03:11:30.027ZS-EPMC128410054159550010.3390/genes17010080