Ancient DNA Challenges Assumptions About Pompeii Victims

New DNA analysis challenges narratives about Pompeii victims' last moments

A study published Thursday retold some famous stories about Pompeii citizens before they died from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

DNA shows Pompeii’s dead aren’t who we thought they were

Integrating genetic data with historic and archaeological data can enrich or correct popular narratives.

New DNA evidence exposes lives of ancient Pompeii residents

New DNA evidence revealed that long-told stories of people in ancient Pompeii were not as they seemed. When a volcanic eruption engulfed the ancient city of Pompeii, the final des...

A new DNA analysis shows that assumptions about the victims of the Pompeii disaster may be completely wrong. A new study by American and Italian researchers has found that victims of the Pompeii disaster include bodies believed to be family members who are not actually related, and individuals whose genders have been misidentified. According to the scientists conducting the research, modern ideas about gender roles may have created a false image…

New DNA Analysis Rewrites the Tale of Pompeii

Villa de Diomede, Pompeii. Credits: Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons DNA analysis of the plastered remains at Pompeii has shown that modern interpretations of the ancient tragedy are inaccurate. The scenes left behind by the tragedy painted a picture of families meeting their untimely demise at the hands of Mount Vesuvius’ massive volcanic eruption that buried the ancient city of Pompeii in 20 feet of volcanic ash and sediment in 79 AD. Howe…

International researchers have analyzed genetic material from the casts of victims who perished in the eruption of Vesuvius. Their relationships and gender do not correspond to the stories told up to now.