DNA analysis sheds new light on Pompeii victims' identities, relationships

Recent DNA analysis of victims from Pompeii has upended long-held assumptions about the identities, familial connections of those who perished during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79.

 The discovery challenges previous interpretations of the victims' relationships, offering new insights into the genetic diversity and demographic makeup of the ancient Roman city, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

Pompeii was buried under layers of volcanic ash, which preserved the bodies and artifacts of its residents in an eerie time capsule. Archaeologist Giuseppe Fiorelli, in the 19th century, developed a method to create plaster casts of victims, revealing their final moments. Over time, researchers made assumptions about the relationships between the bodies based on their positions, such as an adult with a bracelet holding a child, presumed to be the child’s mother.

However, recent DNA analysis of bone fragments from casts—made possible through modern restoration efforts—has revealed that many of these assumptions were incorrect. The study, published in Current Biology, reveals that the adult male found with the child was not the mother but an unrelated individual. The adult male likely had dark skin and hair, challenging traditional gender and familial expectations. Similarly, remains found together that were thought to be those of sisters or a mother and daughter turned out to be of different ages and even different sexes.

The research provides a clearer picture of Pompeii’s genetic makeup, showing that the city was a cosmopolitan hub with a diverse population, reflecting broader patterns of migration and cultural exchange in the Roman Empire. Many of the individuals had eastern Mediterranean ancestry, reflecting the area’s role as a melting pot of cultures due to its proximity to major trade routes and ports.

This study also highlights the complexities of Roman family structures, which extended beyond blood relations to include enslaved individuals, freed persons, and adopted members. The genetic analysis prompts a reassessment of past interpretations that assumed a traditional, nuclear family structure.

The findings reshape how we understand the people of Pompeii, revealing a more complex and diverse society than previously thought, and challenging modern assumptions that often mirror our own cultural biases.

By Vafa Guliyeva