Steppe hypothesis

The hypothesis that Proto-Indo-European originated on the Pontic–Caspian steppe and spread through migrations from that region, especially during the third millennium BCE.

Proto-Indo-European: The reconstructed ancestor of the Indo-European language family. The hypothesis identifies the steppe as the homeland of this reconstructed language.
Yamnaya culture: A Copper Age and Bronze Age pastoralist culture of the Pontic–Caspian steppe, dating roughly 3300–2600 BCE. Its expansion is often associated with early dispersals from the proposed homeland.
Ancient DNA: Genetic material recovered from ancient human, animal, or microbial remains. Genome data reveal population movements relevant to the proposed steppe expansions.
Armenian hypothesis: A proposal locating Proto-Indo-European in or near the Armenian Highlands and neighboring regions. It offers a southern homeland alternative to the Pontic–Caspian steppe.
Proto-Indo-European chronology: The estimated timeline for the development and breakup of Proto-Indo-European. The proposed migration dates must fit linguistic estimates for the language's breakup.
Pontic–Caspian steppe: A grassland region north of the Black and Caspian seas, spanning parts of eastern Europe and western Asia. This is the homeland region proposed by the hypothesis.
Corded Ware culture: A Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age archaeological horizon across northern and central Europe, roughly 2900–2300 BCE. Its spread is linked to steppe-related migrations into central and northern Europe.
Steppe ancestry: A genetic ancestry component associated with Bronze Age populations from the Pontic–Caspian steppe. Its presence in later populations helps trace migrations proposed by the hypothesis.
Balkan hypothesis: A proposal locating the Indo-European homeland in southeastern Europe, often in connection with early farming. It places the origin west of the steppe and associates dispersal with farming.
Indo-European linguistics: The comparative study of Indo-European languages and their historical relationships. Linguistic reconstruction supplies evidence that archaeological and genetic models must explain.

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