For centuries, archaeologists and historians have pieced together the tragic narratives of Pompeii's inhabitants based on their preserved remains, often assuming familial relationships based on physical proximity and shared possessions. However, a recent study published in Current Biology has challenged these long-held beliefs.
By analysing ancient DNA extracted from the plaster casts of 14 victims, researchers have uncovered a more complex picture of the city's diverse population and the relationships among its inhabitants. The DNA evidence has revealed that many of the individuals assumed to be family members were, in fact, unrelated.
For instance, an adult wearing a golden bracelet and holding a child — long thought to be a mother and child — was actually an unrelated male. Similarly, two individuals found in a close embrace, once believed to be sisters or mother and daughter, included at least one genetic male, dispelling traditional assumptions about familial connections. In a notable case from the “House of the Golden Bracelet,” four individuals assumed to be a nuclear family were found to be unrelated, challenging simplistic kinship narratives.
The research team, led by archaeogeneticist Alissa Mittnik, also incorporated strontium isotope analysis, which aided in determining the ancestry, sex, and genetic relationships of the 14 individuals among 86 casts undergoing restoration. The findings reveal a remarkably diverse genetic background, with many individuals having ancestry traced to the eastern Mediterranean, highlighting Pompeii as a cosmopolitan city reflecting the broader diversity of the Roman Empire.
This discovery highlights the limitations of relying solely on physical evidence to interpret the past. David Caramelli of the University of Florence emphasised that the study urges a shift from visual and contextual assumptions towards genetic and isotopic evidence, which provides a more nuanced view of ancient society.
As technology continues to advance, archaeologists and historians are increasingly able to unlock the secrets of the past. The study of Pompeii's victims serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of interdisciplinary research and the potential for new discoveries to reshape our understanding of history.