### Merging Genetic Insights with Archaeological Discoveries: reshaping the Narratives of Pompeii’s Casualties
The devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, which engulfed the historic Roman city of Pompeii beneath layers of ash and pumice, has captivated historians, archaeologists, and the general public for centuries. The chilling plaster casts of the victims, captured in their final moments, have played a pivotal role in the popular stories surrounding the disaster. Nonetheless, recent breakthroughs in genetic research are calling into question many of these enduring beliefs, providing a more refined perspective on the individuals who inhabited—and perished in—Pompeii.
#### The Impact of Genetic Insights in Archaeological Research
For many years, archaeologists have depended on tangible evidence such as artifacts, skeletal remains, and architectural remains to reconstruct historical narratives. While these techniques have yielded critical insights, they frequently suffer from the biases and preconceptions of their time. The combination of genetic data with archaeological and historical context is now furnishing a clearer viewpoint to examine ancient cultures, enabling researchers to amend or enhance established narratives.
A recent publication in *Current Biology* serves as an illustration of this methodology. Researchers obtained DNA from the skeletal remains of several Pompeii victims, uncovering unexpected details regarding their heritage, family ties, and even physical traits. These revelations not only contest popular perceptions but also underscore the heterogeneous and cosmopolitan essence of Pompeii’s inhabitants, mirroring larger trends of mobility and cultural interchange within the Roman Empire.
#### The Plaster Figures of Pompeii: A Glimpse into History
The plaster figures of Pompeii’s victims, devised by archaeologist Giuseppe Fiorelli in the 19th century, have transformed into emblematic representations of the catastrophe. By pouring liquid plaster into the voids left by decayed bodies, Fiorelli and his team managed to capture the victims’ last moments in haunting clarity. More than 1,000 bodies have been unearthed from the ruins, with 104 plaster casts preserved. Yet, recent restoration initiatives have disclosed that several of these casts were altered to match the aesthetic standards of the time, raising concerns about the validity of interpretations derived from them.
For instance, CT scans and X-rays of the casts have indicated that bones were frequently extracted before casting, and metallic rods were sometimes included to reinforce the figures. Such modifications, combined with the cultural biases of previous eras, have played a significant role in shaping how archaeologists and the public have perceived the identities and relationships of the victims.
#### Genetic Research Questions Established Narratives
The recent investigation sought to evaluate some of these interpretations by examining the DNA of four victims discovered in the “House of the Golden Bracelet,” a location where archaeologists had traditionally believed a family—a father, mother, and child—had perished together. The positioning of the bodies, along with the discovery of a golden bracelet on one of the victims, reinforced this familial narrative.
However, the genetic investigation unraveled a different narrative. All four victims were male, including the one adorned with the golden bracelet, and none were genetically related. This outcome disrupts the conventional assumption that the victims constituted a typical family unit and implies they could have been unrelated individuals who took refuge together during the eruption. The DNA analysis also indicated that the victims possessed ancestry from North Africa or the Mediterranean, adding complexity to the portrayal of a uniform Roman populace.
In another scenario, the two bodies found intertwined in the “House of the Cryptoporticus” had long been presumed to be lovers, sisters, or a mother and daughter. However, DNA examination revealed that one of the remains was male, eliminating two of those possibilities. The male victim’s ancestry traced back to the Near East and North Africa, reinforcing the accumulating evidence of Pompeii’s varied population.
#### The Villa of the Mysteries: A Custodian or a Household Member?
The “Villa of the Mysteries,” renowned for its Bacchic frescoes, also provided significant genetic revelations. Archaeologists had hypothesized that a body discovered in the villa, adorned with an engraved iron and carnelian ring, was likely the custodian of the premises rather than a family member. Genetic analysis confirmed that this person was male and exhibited mixed ancestry, showcasing genetic markers from both the Eastern Mediterranean and Europe. This finding lends weight to the interpretation that the victim might have served as a servant or caretaker, as opposed to belonging to the affluent family that owned the villa.
#### Consequences for Archaeology and Historical Understanding
The synthesis of genetic data with archaeological findings carries profound ramifications for how we interpret historical events. As co-author David Reich, a geneticist at Harvard University, observed, “The scientific data we present do not universally coincide with prevalent beliefs.” He warned against the risks of imposing contemporary expectations surrounding gender, family, and social structures onto ancient civilizations. Genetic analysis thus advocates for a more scrutinizing approach to interpreting archaeological data, considering the intricacies and subtleties of antiquity.
Alissa Mittnik, another co-author of the study, underscored the significance of this multidisciplinary strategy.
