A new one genetic analysis of 14 the bodies recovered from Pompeii questions some of the initial interpretations of their identity prior to cataclysmic volcanic eruption. A team of archaeologists and geneticists used a new genomic analysis to learn more about who these individuals were. Eventually, they discovered that their biological sexes and family relationships did not match their initial interpretations. The findings are detailed in a study published Nov. 7 in the journal Current Biology.

“This study illustrates how unreliable narratives based on limited evidence can be, often reflecting the worldview of researchers at the time,” study co-author David Caramelli and an archaeologist at the Universita di Firenze in Italy said in a statement.

(Related: Pompeii’s archaeological puzzles can be solved with a little help from chemistry.)

In 79 CEthe Somma-Vesuvius volcanic system erupted in southern Italy. The earthquake and violent eruption completely buried the inhabitants of the small Roman city of Pompeii. Volcanic ash covered and preserved many of the bodies. The remains of the city were originally discovered in 1599 and by the 19th century, scientists began to discover the remains and preserved some in plaster.

This new study researched the DNA samples that were taken from some of these corpses.

The team used the same strontium isotopes that have been used to date DNA samples to better understand the diversity and origins of Pompeii’s inhabitants. The team extracted DNA from highly fragmented human skeletal remains mixed with the casts that were used to preserve the bodies. They focused on 14 of the 86 casts being restored, with the goal of using DNA to learn as much as they could about these individuals. Their approach allowed them to pinpoint the genetic relationships, sex and ancestry of those 14 individuals.

“The scientific data we provide doesn’t always line up with common assumptions,” study co-author and Harvard University geneticist David Reich said in a statement. “For example, a notable example is the discovery that an adult wearing a gold bracelet and holding a child, traditionally interpreted as a mother and child, was an unrelated adult man and child. Similarly, a pair of individuals believed to be sisters, or mother and daughter, has been found to include at least one genetic male. These findings challenge traditional gender and family assumptions.”

(Related: “Violent” earthquakes accompanied the infamous volcanic eruption that buried Pompeii.)

Genetic data revealed that these Pompeians had diverse genomic environments. They were mainly descended from a group of immigrants from the eastern Mediterranean. According to the team, this emphasizes the cosmopolitan nature of the Roman Empire. The findings also underscore the need to use genetic analysis and tools from other scientific disciplines to fully understand Pompeii’s past and beyond.

“Our findings have significant implications for interpreting the archaeological record and understanding ancient societies,” study co-author and Harvard University archaeogeneticist Alyssa Mittnik said in a statement. “They emphasize the importance of integrating genetic data with archaeological and historical information to avoid misinterpretations based on modern assumptions. This study also emphasizes the diverse and cosmopolitan nature of Pompeii’s population, reflecting broader patterns of mobility and cultural exchange in the Roman Empire.