RE-WRITING THE BRONZE AGE'S GENETIC MAP

The study found that the migrations in the early Bronze Age, 5,000 years ago, caused huge changes to the European gene pool, inlcuding spreading genes for pale skin and brown eyes, as well as lactose tolerance.

The Yamnaya culture migrated westward from the Caucasus into north and central Europe, and to a lesser degree, to northern Siberia.

In northern Europe, they mixed with Stone Age people, establishing the Corded Ware Culture, which genetically resembles present day Europeans living north of the Alps.

Around 4,000 years ago, the Sintashta Culture evolved in the Caucasus.

This culture's sophisticated new weapons and chariots rapidly caught on across Europe.

The area east of the Urals and far into Central Asia was colonised around 3,800 years ago by the Andronovo Culture.

The researchers' investigation shows that this culture had a European DNA-background.

The Yamnaya also also migrated east to settle in parts of Central Asia before being replaced by eastern Asians around 2,000 years ago.