Scientists analyze DNA of volcano victims in Pompeii, finding ancient diversity and archaeological mistakes

In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius violently erupted and buried the city of Pompeii under ash, preserving the city and many of the volcano’s victims. In the 1700s, when archaeologists discovered the ruins at Pompeii, they filled empty cavities left by the bodies with plaster to create casts of the bodies in their final positions. In a new study, researchers from Harvard University have taken DNA samples from bones from these plaster casts to see what they could learn from the ancient remains.

Over the years, more advanced techniques have allowed scientists to sequence the genomes of ancient individuals from fairly degraded samples. Using these techniques, this research team gathered genetic information from seven people at three different houses. All the individuals had slightly different genetics than modern and ancient Italians. In fact, they were more genetically similar to people from North Africa and Western Eurasia, showcasing the known diversity of the Roman Empire. The scientists also made several discoveries that went against the traditional archaeological assumptions about these people. For example, at one site, an adult with a large golden bracelet holding a child — long speculated to be mother and child — were found to be an adult man unrelated to the child. In another, two hugging individuals were speculated to be sisters but were actually an unrelated man and woman.

The aims of these ancient DNA studies are not to be a “gotcha” for archaeologists. However, in the study, the researchers hold up their results to caution against interpretations based on modern-day assumptions, like associating jewelry with femininity. They hope their results can supplement our understanding of the ancient world.

This study was led by Elena Pilli and Stefania Vai, a forensic anthropologist and professor, respectively, at the University of Florence.

Managing Correspondent: Alex Yenkin

Press Article: DNA analysis rewrites the stories of people buried in Pompeii, New Scientist

Original Journal Article: Ancient DNA challenges prevailing interpretations of the Pompeii plaster casts, Current Biology

Image Credit: “POMPEII” by Heleen Kwant is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.