A new study using ancient DNA from Pompeii's preserved bodies challenges long-held assumptions about the city's inhabitants. Researchers from the University of Florence, Harvard, and the Max Planck Institute found genetic evidence that contradicts previous interpretations based on physical appearance and cast positioning. For example, individuals thought to be a mother and child or sisters were actually unrelated, and gender roles were misidentified—an adult male wearing a bracelet was mistakenly assumed to be female.
The genetic analysis also revealed that Pompeii’s population was largely descended from immigrants from the eastern Mediterranean, highlighting the cosmopolitan nature of the Roman Empire. This research demonstrates the power of integrating DNA with archaeological findings, offering a more accurate understanding of Pompeii's diverse population and challenging modern assumptions about kinship and gender.
MY THOUGHTS
I thought it was interesting that there were not studies done to identify these bodies but more so assumptions based on jewelry or close proximity. It was also intriguing to know that many of these people were from the eastern Mediterranean.
Sites used
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241107160923.htm
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