DNA study from Pompeii reveals surprising ancestry and reveals new insights into assumptions about family and gender

A recent DNA analysis carried out by researchers from the University of Florence, Harvard University and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology has provided new insights into the lives of the ancient population of Pompeii. This genetic study revises assumptions that have shaped historical understanding since the city’s discovery in 1748. Results indicate complex social and cultural diversity among the population, previously inferred only by visual evidence.

A new perspective on social connections and the origins of Pompeii

In 79 AD, the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius destroyed Pompeii, enveloping its population in layers of ash. Traditional interpretations, largely based on skeletal positions and objects such as jewelry, suggested specific gender roles and family structures among the victims. However, DNA samples recently extracted from 14 restored skeletal remains reveal a different story. According to Professor David Caramelli, from the Department of Anthropology at the University of Florence, genetic data offers surprising variations in terms of parentage and sex, challenging previous inferences based solely on physical characteristics.

Analysis of the casts, including from a group from the famous House of the Golden Bracelet, showed that what were once thought to be parent-child groups were in fact unrelated individuals. Additional findings, reported by David Reich of Harvard University, highlighted that several individuals previously identified as close family members or presumed to share genetic ties were actually not biologically related. Gender assumptions have also been challenged as some objects traditionally associated with women have been found in men.

Pompeii’s diverse genetic heritage revealed

DNA research has further highlighted Pompeii’s cosmopolitan roots. Evidence of Eastern Mediterranean ancestry among many residents reveals that the city’s population was likely composed of immigrants, a reflection of the cultural and genetic diversity within the Roman Empire. Alissa Mittnik, representing the Max Planck Institute, noted that the study illustrates the benefits of merging genetic and archaeological data to avoid projecting modern assumptions onto historical interpretations.

Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of Pompeii Park, said the integration of DNA analysis has been crucial to strengthening the park’s research capabilities. With the addition of studies in isotope analysis and bioarchaeology, the park is evolving into an interdisciplinary research center, advancing the field of archeology through modern technology.