DNA rewrites history of Pompeii victims buried in volcanic eruption centuries ago
Researchers have studied the DNA preserved in the skeletal remains of Pompeii volcanic eruption victims.
In 79 CE, the violent eruption of the Somma-Vesuvius volcanic system engulfed the Roman town of Pompeii. This massive eruption trapped its inhabitants beneath a thick layer of volcanic ash, and led to the preservation of many bodies.
The body casts, created by pouring plaster into the voids left by decaying bodies, have long been a centerpiece of Pompeii 's narrative.
A team of researchers, led by David Reich and Alissa Mittnik from Harvard University, delved into the ancient DNA of these individuals. By analyzing their genetic makeup, they uncovered startling revelations.
For example, a pair thought to be a mother and child — based on their positioning — was actually an unrelated adult male and child.
"This study illustrates how unreliable narratives based on limited evidence can be, often reflecting the worldview of the researchers at the time," said David Caramelli from the Universita di Firenze in Italy, and part of the study team.
Scientific data challenges assumptions
The researchers state that this revelation could challenge the historical narrative that has been constructed since Pompeii's rediscovery in the 1700s.
For this study, the researchers analyzed ancient DNA from the body casts.
Genetic analysis reveals that the sex and familial connections of these individuals differ significantly from the interpretations previously made based on modern-day assumptions.
"The scientific data we provide do not always align with common assumptions," said Reich.
"For instance, one notable example is the discovery that an adult wearing a golden bracelet and holding a child, traditionally interpreted as a mother and child, were an unrelated adult male and child. Similarly, a pair of individuals thought to be sisters, or mother and daughter, were found to include at least one genetic male. These findings challenge traditional gender and familial assumptions," Reich added.
DNA analysis reveals key details
They extracted DNA from the fragmented remains within the casts. Particularly, they selected 14 of the 86 casts currently undergoing restoration for analysis.
This methodology led to the revelation of genetic relationships, biological sex, and ancestral origins of the 14 individuals.
Surprisingly, the findings contradicted long-held assumptions, which were primarily based on the physical appearance and arrangement of the casts.
Furthermore, the study sheds light on the diverse origins of Pompeii's inhabitants.
DNA evidence suggests that the city was a melting pot of cultures, with people from various parts of the Mediterranean settling there.
The results revealed a diverse genetic background, primarily stemming from immigrants from the eastern Mediterranean region.
This finding underscores the "cosmopolitan nature of the Roman Empire," highlighting its extensive network of trade and cultural exchange.
"Our findings have significant implications for the interpretation of archaeological data and the understanding of ancient societies," said Mittnik.
"They highlight the importance of integrating genetic data with archaeological and historical information to avoid misinterpretations based on modern assumptions. This study also underscores the diverse and cosmopolitan nature of Pompeii's population, reflecting broader patterns of mobility and cultural exchange in the Roman Empire," Mittnik concluded in the press release.
