New genetic research has revealed surprising insights into the lives and origins of the ancient residents of Pompeii, upending traditional views of their relationships and social roles, and where they originated. For example, in the cast above, the figures which were assumed to be a mother and child playing turn out to both be male, and unrelated.
Conducted by the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Harvard University, and the University of Florence, this study examined DNA from plaster-cast victims of Mount Vesuvius’s devastating 79 AD eruption. The findings reveal Pompeii as a culturally diverse city, with a population rooted in varied Mediterranean ancestry. Published in Current Biology, this work upends assumptions about familial structures, social roles, and the diversity of one of the most iconic cities of the ancient world.
Unveiling Pompeii’s Genetic Diversity
For over a century, plaster casts created from the voids left by decomposed bodies have revealed Pompeii’s residents in haunting detail. Incredibly, researchers have recently extracted DNA from 14 of the 86 casts currently being restored, enabling them to determine genetic relationships, gender, and ancestry.
This new DNA evidence paints a picture of Pompeii as a cosmopolitan city where diverse ethnic backgrounds coexisted, perhaps not a surprise considering the extensive mobility within the Roman Empire, according to a Max Planck Institute press release.
DNA Tests Bring Surprising Results
One particularly compelling discovery centered on the “House of the Golden Bracelet,” where four plaster casts were long thought to represent a family unit: parents and two children. Contrary to this interpretation, genetic testing revealed that none of these individuals were related.
It turns out these folks aren’t even genetically related. (© Courtesy of Archaeological Park of Pompeii via MPG)
In another notable example, an adult and child cast positioned together and often assumed to depict a mother and child were found to be genetically unrelated and, unexpectedly, both male. This case highlights how physical proximity and artifact placement can lead to inaccurate interpretations about familial ties and gender roles.
Casts no. 21 and 22 from the House of the Cryptoporticus, date of creation 1914. (© Courtesy of Archaeological Park of Pompeii via MPG)
The Misinterpretation of Jewelry and Family Roles
Historically, archaeologists inferred relationships based on artifact associations, such as jewelry, and physical positioning in casts. The study’s findings reveal that jewelry and spatial arrangements may not reflect kinship, as previously assumed.
David Reich of Harvard University said:
“The scientific data we provide do not always align with common assumptions. For instance, one notable example is the discovery that an adult wearing a golden bracelet and holding a child, traditionally interpreted as a mother and child, were an unrelated adult male and child. Similarly, a pair of individuals thought to be sisters, or mother and daughter, were found to include at least one genetic male. These findings challenge traditional gender and familial assumptions.”
This misalignment of gender and familial roles calls into question previous archaeological methods that relied on physical evidence alone.
Alissa Mittnik of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology said of the findings:
“They highlight the importance of integrating genetic data with archaeological and historical information to avoid misinterpretations based on modern assumptions. This study also underscores the diverse and cosmopolitan nature of Pompeii’s population, reflecting broader patterns of mobility and cultural exchange in the Roman Empire.”
Pompeii as a Multicultural Hub
The DNA evidence has provided valuable insights into the ancestry of Pompeii’s residents, indicating that many of them descended from recent immigrants from the eastern Mediterranean.
This diversity aligns with the Roman Empire’s expansive reach and the high levels of mobility it facilitated. As Alissa Mittnik from the Max Planck Institute explained, the study highlights Pompeii’s population as a microcosm of the empire’s cosmopolitan nature, which drew people from various regions into its cities.
Gabriel Zuchtriegel, Director of the Pompeii Park, says:
“The Pompeii Park has been including ancient DNA analysis in its study protocols for years, not only for human victims, but also for animal victims.” He explains that the Park manages a variety of research projects through its own laboratory. These include isotopic analysis, diagnostics, geology, volcanology and, in particular, reverse engineering. He stresses that “all these elements together contribute to a comprehensive, updated interpretation of the archaeological findings. These efforts are turning Pompeii into a veritable incubator for the development of new methods, resources and scientific comparisons”.
Zuchtriegel concludes: “From this point of view, this study marks a true change in perspective, in which the site itself plays a central role in advancing archaeology and research.”