Researchers have studied the DNA preserved in the skeletal remains of Pompeii volcanic eruption victims.
In 79 CE, the violent eruption of the Somma-Vesuvius volcanic system engulfed the Roman town of Pompeii . This massive eruption trapped its inhabitants beneath a thick layer of volcanic ash, and led to the preservation of many bodies.
“This study illustrates how unreliable narratives based on limited evidence can be, often reflecting the worldview of the researchers at the time,” said David Caramelli from the Universita di Firenze in Italy, and part of the study team. The researchers state that this revelation could challenge the historical narrative that has been constructed since Pompeii’s rediscovery in the 1700s.
Surprisingly, the findings contradicted long-held assumptions, which were primarily based on the physical appearance and arrangement of the casts.DNA evidence suggests that the city was a melting pot of cultures, with people from various parts of the Mediterranean settling there. This finding underscores the “cosmopolitan nature of the Roman Empire,” highlighting its extensive network of trade and cultural exchange.
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