A genetic study of human remains found in Pompeiiburied after the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, reveals that the victims of Pompeii They weren’t who they always thought they were.
The research, led by an international team of scientists, reveals howor DNA challenges previous interpretations and shows the complexity and diversity of a society that perished in its ashes almost 2,000 years ago.
Who were the real victims of Pompeii? This reveals DNA analysis
He DNA analysis carried out in several of the victims of Pompeii gave surprising results on the relationships between some of the bodies found.
In several cases, family ties and gender of people do not match initial reconstructions depending on the position and the items they owned at the time of their death.
- Affair of the House of the Golden Bracelet: For years, an adult figure holding a child was seen as a mother protecting her child in her final moments. However, DNA reveals that the adult was a male with no genetic connection to the child. This discovery changes the vision of family and social ties in ancient Pompeii.
- Cryptoportic House: Two bodies were discovered intertwined, they are believed to be the mother and daughter or sisters. However, the investigation showed that one of the bodies is that of a man, although the sex of the second individual remains to be confirmed.
- Villa of the Mysteries: A 1.85 meter man was found here with items such as a whip and bronze coins, suggesting that he did not belong to the upper classes, but was a member of the service staff of the villa.
Additionally, genetic identification of human remains revealed that The ancestry of the inhabitants of Pompeii was diversewith a strong presence of migrants from the Eastern Mediterranean.
According to David Reich, a geneticist at Harvard University and author of the study, “These findings challenge traditional assumptions about sex and family ties and show how unreliable relying solely on position of the body to deduce relationships”.
The important role of science in historical reinterpretation
In this context, the scientists stressed that these discoveries demonstrate the importance of integrating DNA analysis into archeology to avoid errors of interpretation about family structures in ancient societies.
Examining the remains of Pompeii through genetics also shows how technological advances enable new tools, such as DNA analysis, transform the understanding of historical events.
In this sense, the study serves as an example of how science can change consolidated perspectives and open new avenues of research in the archaeological field.
Alissa Mittnik, an archaeogeneticist at Harvard, noted that “these discoveries highlight the relevance of combining genetic data with archeology to obtain a more accurate view of history.” Furthermore, he emphasized that this approach allows us to avoid interpretations based on modern prejudices about family roles and personal relationships.
Thus, the importance of interdisciplinarity in the analysis of ancient remains has been demonstrated. THE combining traditional methods with genetics, strontium isotope analysis and archeology allows for a more holistic approach that can rewrite the stories of Pompeii’s victims.
