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Ancient DNA and isotope data reflect social diversity in an Eastern Zhou cemetery

Focusing on the Songzhuang cemetery, this study aims to enhance understanding of social diversity in Eastern Zhou society. We adopted a multidisciplinary approach to uncover the profound influence of social inequality within an Eastern Zhou community, and to identify a rare case of social class mobility.

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Fig. 1: Genetic and isotope analyses of individuals buried in the Songzhuang cemetery.

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This is a summary of: Zhang, B. et al. Multidisciplinary analyses and ancient DNA reveal social inequality and mobility in the Central Plains during the Eastern Zhou period in China. Nat. Hum. Behav. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-025-02356-6 (2025).

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Ancient DNA and isotope data reflect social diversity in an Eastern Zhou cemetery. Nat Hum Behav (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-025-02364-6

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