In 79 CE, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius obliterated Pompeii, a small Roman town near modern-day Naples. The violent outburst left the town blanketed in volcanic ash, capturing the lives of its residents in chilling, almost lifelike forms preserved for centuries. Rediscovered in the 1700s, Pompeii became a remarkable archaeological site, offering insights into Roman life, death, and society frozen in an instant by nature’s fury. Until recently, these insights have relied largely on visual and contextual interpretations. Yet, ancient DNA now adds an entirely new dimension to Pompeii’s story, challenging long-held assumptions about gender, family structures, and the diversity of the town’s people.
A new study, published in Current Biology on November 7, 2024, demonstrates that many assumptions archaeologists made about Pompeii’s citizens were grounded more in present-day biases than in historical fact. By analyzing DNA from select body casts, scientists revealed surprising information that contradicts traditional interpretations based on the casts’ positions, attire, and proximity to other individuals. Harvard geneticist David Reich, one of the study’s authors, pointed out that the findings don’t always align with our contemporary beliefs. One of the most unexpected revelations was about a body cast of an adult with a golden bracelet holding a child. Initially assumed to depict a mother and child, DNA analysis identified the adult as an unrelated male, not a mother. Another case involved two individuals thought to be either sisters or mother and daughter. DNA, however, showed at least one was genetically male, breaking previous assumptions about gender and familial ties.
Reich and his collaborators, including Alissa Mittnik and David Caramelli of the Università di Firenze, utilized advances in ancient DNA analysis to probe 14 of the 86 plaster casts currently undergoing restoration. This painstaking work involved extracting and sequencing DNA from small, fragmented skeletal remains interwoven with the plaster. Through these genetic clues, they could identify the sex, family relationships, and ancestry of the individuals. The results painted a much richer picture of Pompeii’s diversity than was previously thought.
The genetic profiles of these Pompeiians revealed mixed ancestries, showing ties to immigrants from the eastern Mediterranean. This finding suggests that Pompeii was a melting pot—a testament to the Roman Empire’s vast reach and the interconnectedness of ancient societies. Such cosmopolitanism, likely facilitated by Pompeii’s strategic location on Mediterranean trade routes, provides an intriguing new angle on life in the town. People in Pompeii were not isolated Romans but instead were part of a broader cultural tapestry with origins spanning hundreds of miles.
These findings emphasize the importance of using multidisciplinary methods, especially genetic analysis, in archaeology. Mittnik highlighted that while archaeological interpretations provide valuable information, they can sometimes lead to errors when modern biases shape assumptions about gender roles or family dynamics in ancient societies. By combining genetics with archaeology, scientists can construct more accurate histories and avoid narratives that may be grounded more in the past beliefs of researchers than in actual evidence.
Furthermore, the study underscores the evolving nature of science itself. Pompeii’s discovery in the 18th century generated a fascination that has spurred waves of research over the centuries. Yet, each generation brings its own interpretations to bear on the evidence, and these are sometimes based more on contemporary values than on historical realities. Caramelli’s commentary on the findings reflects this sentiment, pointing out how past researchers’ interpretations have often mirrored their own times. As science advances, especially in fields like genomics, it allows us to revisit and refine our understanding, peeling back the layers of history to reveal truths long hidden beneath assumptions.
The study’s implications extend beyond Pompeii, suggesting that genetic data could transform our understanding of ancient societies more broadly. The Roman Empire, known for its vast, multicultural span, was perhaps more diverse at every local level than traditional histories have depicted. Pompeii, far from a uniform Roman outpost, was likely a bustling hub where cultures, languages, and people converged. This insight provides a nuanced view of the ancient world and reminds us that migration and cultural exchange were as central to human societies then as they are today.
By looking at ancient societies with fresh eyes and advanced tools, scientists are unearthing a more intricate history that challenges what we thought we knew about our ancestors. The story of Pompeii, preserved in ash and now in DNA, serves as a profound reminder of both the fragility of life and the resilience of knowledge, passed down and continuously reshaped across generations.
Source: Cell Press