Recent research conducted by the University of Florence, Harvard University, and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig has challenged longstanding interpretations about the origins of Pompeii’s inhabitants through the use of ancient DNA. Genetic testing has revealed an unexpected diversity in gender and kinship relations, offering a new perspective on life in this ancient Roman city and highlighting the cosmopolitan character of the Roman Empire. According to this data, most Pompeiians descended from immigrants from the Eastern Mediterranean.

In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius unleashed one of its most devastating eruptions, burying Pompeii and its inhabitants under a thick layer of lapilli (ash and small stones). While some residents died when their homes collapsed under the weight of volcanic material, others, having survived the initial phase, eventually succumbed to pyroclastic flows. The speed and temperature of these flows quickly enveloped bodies, preserving their forms in a solid ash layer that allowed, centuries later, for molds to be made from these voids.

Since the 19th century, molds of the bodies have been created by pouring plaster into the spaces left after decomposition. However, it is only now that the research team has extracted DNA from fragmented bone remains in 14 of the 86 most famous molds, currently under restoration. This analysis allowed for the identification of kinship relations, sex determination, and ancestry tracing of individuals, thus challenging many previous interpretations based solely on the physical appearance and arrangement of the molds.

Pompeya moldes
Group of casts from the House of the Golden Bracelet. Casts no. 50-51-52, date of creation 1974. Credit: Parco Archeologico di Pompei

This research demonstrates how genetic analysis can significantly enrich narratives constructed from archaeological data, explains Professor David Caramelli, from the Department of Anthropology at the University of Florence. The results challenge long-standing assumptions, such as the association of jewelry with femininity or the interpretation of physical proximity as evidence of family ties.

In the House of the Golden Bracelet, for example, where genetic information for multiple individuals is available, it was found that the four people initially thought to be a family (parents and children) actually have no genetic ties to each other.

Similarly, David Reich from Harvard University mentions surprising findings, such as the identification of an adult male, not a female, holding a child, both traditionally interpreted as mother and son. Likewise, a pair believed to be sisters or mother and daughter included at least one genetically male individual, challenging assumptions about gender and kinship.

Pompeya moldes
Casts no. 21 and 22 from the House of the Cryptoporticus, date of creation 1914. Credit: Parco Archeologico di Pompei

Genetic data also provided information on Pompeiians’ ancestry, who came from diverse genomic backgrounds, highlighting the predominance of ancestors from the Eastern Mediterranean. This finding reflects the cosmopolitan nature of the Pompeian population, characterized by mobility and cultural exchange common within the Roman Empire.

According to Alissa Mittnik from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, our findings have significant implications for interpreting archaeological data and understanding ancient societies. Mittnik emphasizes the need to integrate genetic data with archaeological and historical information to avoid misinterpretations based on modern assumptions. This study also underscores Pompeii’s diversity, revealing broader patterns of mobility and cultural mixing in the Empire.

The director of the Pompeii Park, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, adds that ancient DNA analysis has been a central tool in studies conducted in Pompeii for years, not only for human victims but also for animal remains. He explains that the Park manages a variety of research projects in its own laboratory, encompassing everything from isotopic analyses to reverse engineering, in an ongoing effort to update and enrich the interpretation of archaeological findings.

SOURCES

Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

Harvard Medical School

Elena Pilli, Stefania Vai, Victoria C. Moses, et al., Ancient DNA challenges prevailing interpretations of the Pompeii plaster casts. Current Biology. doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2024.10.007

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