Researchers have studied the DNA preserved in the skeletal remains of victims of the volcanic eruption in Pompeii.

In 79 CE, the violent eruption of the Somma-Vesuvius volcanic system engulfed the Roman city of Pompeii. This massive eruption trapped its inhabitants under a thick layer of volcanic ash and led to the preservation of many bodies.

Body casts, created by pouring plaster into the voids left by decaying bodies, have long been a centerpiece of Pompeiihis narrative.

A team of researchers, led by David Reich and Alissa Mittnik of Harvard University, investigated old DNA of these individuals. By analyzing their genetic makeup, they discovered startling revelations.

For example, a pair that was thought to be a mother and child – based on their positioning – was actually an unrelated adult man and child.

“This study illustrates how unreliable narratives based on limited evidence can be, often reflecting the worldview of researchers at the time,” said David Caramelli of the Universita di Firenze in Italy and part of the study team.

Scientific data challenges assumptions

Researchers say this revelation could challenge the historical narrative that has been constructed since the rediscovery of Pompeii in the 1700s.

For this study, the researchers analyzed ancient DNA from plaster bodies.

Genetic analysis reveals that the sex and family connections of these individuals differ significantly from interpretations previously made based on modern assumptions.

“The scientific data we provide doesn’t always line up with common assumptions,” Reich said.

“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,” added Reich.

DNA analysis reveals key details

They extracted DNA from the fragmented remains of the cast. In particular, they selected 14 of the 86 casts currently being restored for analysis.

This methodology led to the revelation of the genetic relationships, biological sex and ancestral origins of the 14 individuals.

Surprisingly, the findings contradicted long-held assumptions, which were based primarily 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 mix of cultures, with people from different parts of the Mediterranean settling there.

The results revealed a diverse genetic background, originating mainly from immigrants from the eastern Mediterranean region.

This discovery emphasizes the “cosmopolitan nature of the Roman Empire”, highlighting its extensive network of trade and cultural exchange.

“Our findings have significant implications for interpreting the archaeological record and understanding ancient societies,” Mittnik said.

“They emphasize the importance of integrating genetic data with archaeological and historical information to avoid misinterpretations based on modern assumptions. This study also highlights the diverse and cosmopolitan nature of Pompeii’s population, reflecting broader patterns of mobility and cultural exchange in the Roman Empire,” Mittnik concluded in Press release.

The study was published in the journal Current Biology.