Ajeje Brazorf
11-08-2024, 04:36 PM
https://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822(24)01361-7
The study is a 2024 research paper published in Current Biology by Pilli et al., titled "Ancient DNA challenges prevailing interpretations of the Pompeii plaster casts." It involves genetic analysis of human remains embedded in plaster casts from Pompeii, providing insights into the identities, relationships, and ancestries of individuals who perished in the 79 CE eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
Summary of Research
This study examines skeletal remains encased in plaster casts created by archaeologists to preserve the impressions left by the bodies buried in ash and pumice during the eruption. It focuses on the genetic and isotopic data extracted from five individuals to investigate their ancestry, sex, relationships, and mobility. The study challenges earlier assumptions about the victims’ identities, gender roles, and relationships, which were traditionally inferred from the casts' visual characteristics and artifacts found alongside them.
Techniques for Extraction and Analysis of Ancient DNA
1. Sampling and Preparation: Bone fragments mixed with plaster were taken from 14 different casts. These samples were carefully screened to determine DNA concentration and degradation levels.
2. DNA Enrichment and Sequencing: Researchers employed a hybridization-based approach to enrich mitochondrial DNA and target over a million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Mitochondrial DNA and nuclear SNPs were sequenced to maximize data quality.
3. Data Quality Assessment: To verify ancient DNA authenticity, researchers analyzed base misincorporation patterns (e.g., C-to-T substitutions) and calculated contamination estimates. Male sex was confirmed using Y-chromosome quantification where possible.
DNA Sample Sources and Ages
The DNA was extracted from skeletal remains embedded in plaster casts found in different locations within Pompeii:
- House of the Golden Bracelet: Four individuals were sampled here, previously believed to be family members.
- House of the Cryptoporticus: Two individuals presumed to be in an embrace.
- Villa of the Mysteries: Another individual was found in this location.
Haplogroups and Genetic Findings
The genetic analysis revealed several haplogroups among the individuals:
- Y-chromosome haplogroups included J2a, J2b, E1b, and T1a, commonly associated with Western Asia and still found in significant frequencies across Southern Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia.
- The individuals’ mitochondrial haplogroups also reflected diverse ancestry sources, including connections to the Near East and North Africa.
DNA Results and Ancestry Insights
The DNA analysis revealed a high degree of genetic diversity among the Pompeii victims, suggesting recent eastern Mediterranean origins. The primary ancestry components for these individuals derived from Anatolia Neolithic farmers and Levantine Pre-Pottery Neolithic farmers, with additional contributions from Neolithic farmers from Iran. This genetic makeup aligns with other samples from Imperial Rome, highlighting Pompeii’s cosmopolitan population.
One individual’s genetic profile showed a unique ancestry mix, suggesting possible European heritage from steppe pastoralist groups, while others displayed distinct combinations of eastern Mediterranean, North African, and Levantine ancestries.
Key Findings and Discoveries
The study presents several groundbreaking conclusions:
1. Challenging Traditional Interpretations: Traditional interpretations based on visual observations of the plaster casts were often misleading. For example, an adult with a child presumed to be a mother-child pair was instead found to be an unrelated adult male and child.
2. Unexpected Gender Assignments: Genetic evidence revealed that several individuals previously presumed to be female based on cast position and artifacts were, in fact, male.
3. Lack of Genetic Relatedness: The four individuals from the House of the Golden Bracelet, once thought to be a nuclear family, showed no evidence of biological relation up to the third degree. This finding dispels the long-held belief in familial connections among these individuals.
4. Diverse Ancestries Reflecting Premodern Globalization: The genetic diversity among these individuals demonstrates the mobility and interconnectedness of populations in the Roman Empire, with strong eastern Mediterranean and North African genetic signals. This cosmopolitan genetic profile mirrors similar findings in other Roman-era populations.
5. Detailed Individual Profiles: The study reconstructed probable phenotypic traits, revealing that some individuals had brown eyes and dark skin, while others showed traits linked to diverse Mediterranean populations.
Fascinating Insights
- Physical Proximity and Misinterpretations of Relationships: Pairs previously assumed to be siblings, lovers, or parent-child based on their positions in the casts were often biologically unrelated.
- Isotopic Analysis: Strontium and oxygen isotopic data for one individual indicated likely local origins within the central Italian Peninsula, though broader Mediterranean isotopic similarities suggest some may have migrated from distant regions.
- Artifacts and Social Status: Artifacts such as a golden bracelet, a whip, and a ring found with individuals offered clues to their possible social roles, though DNA analysis showed these artifacts did not correspond to familial or gender identities as once assumed.
Conclusion
This study underscores the importance of genetic data in revisiting historical narratives shaped by modern interpretations. The DNA evidence challenges assumptions about gender, familial relations, and social behaviors in ancient Pompeii, revealing a more complex social landscape shaped by a diverse, immigrant-rich population. This work enhances our understanding of ancient Roman society and provides a cautionary reminder against projecting modern beliefs onto past societies.
The study is a 2024 research paper published in Current Biology by Pilli et al., titled "Ancient DNA challenges prevailing interpretations of the Pompeii plaster casts." It involves genetic analysis of human remains embedded in plaster casts from Pompeii, providing insights into the identities, relationships, and ancestries of individuals who perished in the 79 CE eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
Summary of Research
This study examines skeletal remains encased in plaster casts created by archaeologists to preserve the impressions left by the bodies buried in ash and pumice during the eruption. It focuses on the genetic and isotopic data extracted from five individuals to investigate their ancestry, sex, relationships, and mobility. The study challenges earlier assumptions about the victims’ identities, gender roles, and relationships, which were traditionally inferred from the casts' visual characteristics and artifacts found alongside them.
Techniques for Extraction and Analysis of Ancient DNA
1. Sampling and Preparation: Bone fragments mixed with plaster were taken from 14 different casts. These samples were carefully screened to determine DNA concentration and degradation levels.
2. DNA Enrichment and Sequencing: Researchers employed a hybridization-based approach to enrich mitochondrial DNA and target over a million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Mitochondrial DNA and nuclear SNPs were sequenced to maximize data quality.
3. Data Quality Assessment: To verify ancient DNA authenticity, researchers analyzed base misincorporation patterns (e.g., C-to-T substitutions) and calculated contamination estimates. Male sex was confirmed using Y-chromosome quantification where possible.
DNA Sample Sources and Ages
The DNA was extracted from skeletal remains embedded in plaster casts found in different locations within Pompeii:
- House of the Golden Bracelet: Four individuals were sampled here, previously believed to be family members.
- House of the Cryptoporticus: Two individuals presumed to be in an embrace.
- Villa of the Mysteries: Another individual was found in this location.
Haplogroups and Genetic Findings
The genetic analysis revealed several haplogroups among the individuals:
- Y-chromosome haplogroups included J2a, J2b, E1b, and T1a, commonly associated with Western Asia and still found in significant frequencies across Southern Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia.
- The individuals’ mitochondrial haplogroups also reflected diverse ancestry sources, including connections to the Near East and North Africa.
DNA Results and Ancestry Insights
The DNA analysis revealed a high degree of genetic diversity among the Pompeii victims, suggesting recent eastern Mediterranean origins. The primary ancestry components for these individuals derived from Anatolia Neolithic farmers and Levantine Pre-Pottery Neolithic farmers, with additional contributions from Neolithic farmers from Iran. This genetic makeup aligns with other samples from Imperial Rome, highlighting Pompeii’s cosmopolitan population.
One individual’s genetic profile showed a unique ancestry mix, suggesting possible European heritage from steppe pastoralist groups, while others displayed distinct combinations of eastern Mediterranean, North African, and Levantine ancestries.
Key Findings and Discoveries
The study presents several groundbreaking conclusions:
1. Challenging Traditional Interpretations: Traditional interpretations based on visual observations of the plaster casts were often misleading. For example, an adult with a child presumed to be a mother-child pair was instead found to be an unrelated adult male and child.
2. Unexpected Gender Assignments: Genetic evidence revealed that several individuals previously presumed to be female based on cast position and artifacts were, in fact, male.
3. Lack of Genetic Relatedness: The four individuals from the House of the Golden Bracelet, once thought to be a nuclear family, showed no evidence of biological relation up to the third degree. This finding dispels the long-held belief in familial connections among these individuals.
4. Diverse Ancestries Reflecting Premodern Globalization: The genetic diversity among these individuals demonstrates the mobility and interconnectedness of populations in the Roman Empire, with strong eastern Mediterranean and North African genetic signals. This cosmopolitan genetic profile mirrors similar findings in other Roman-era populations.
5. Detailed Individual Profiles: The study reconstructed probable phenotypic traits, revealing that some individuals had brown eyes and dark skin, while others showed traits linked to diverse Mediterranean populations.
Fascinating Insights
- Physical Proximity and Misinterpretations of Relationships: Pairs previously assumed to be siblings, lovers, or parent-child based on their positions in the casts were often biologically unrelated.
- Isotopic Analysis: Strontium and oxygen isotopic data for one individual indicated likely local origins within the central Italian Peninsula, though broader Mediterranean isotopic similarities suggest some may have migrated from distant regions.
- Artifacts and Social Status: Artifacts such as a golden bracelet, a whip, and a ring found with individuals offered clues to their possible social roles, though DNA analysis showed these artifacts did not correspond to familial or gender identities as once assumed.
Conclusion
This study underscores the importance of genetic data in revisiting historical narratives shaped by modern interpretations. The DNA evidence challenges assumptions about gender, familial relations, and social behaviors in ancient Pompeii, revealing a more complex social landscape shaped by a diverse, immigrant-rich population. This work enhances our understanding of ancient Roman society and provides a cautionary reminder against projecting modern beliefs onto past societies.