Scientists FINALLY Sequenced The DNA of Pompeii's Victims and It Changes Everything!

In this video, we dive into the recent groundbreaking discoveries that are reshaping our understanding of the famous Pompeii plaster casts. For centuries, these casts—thought to represent families and loved ones tragically caught in the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius—have provided a vivid glimpse into ancient Roman life. However, new DNA analysis has revealed unexpected details about these individuals, challenging the long-held assumptions of their identities and relationships.

We explore the broader historical context of Pompeii, an ancient Roman city bustling with diverse people from across the Mediterranean. These findings unveil the city’s cosmopolitan nature, highlighting the presence of people with roots in North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean, offering a richer, more inclusive picture of Pompeii’s social fabric. This video also discusses how the study confronts our modern biases in interpreting ancient gender roles and family structures. Join us as we uncover a new layer to Pompeii's story, one that sheds light on the real identities of its inhabitants and brings us closer to understanding the personal lives and complex backgrounds of these ancient people.

#Pompeii #MountVesuvius #AncientRome #Archaeology #AncientDNA #PompeiiDisaster #RomanHistory #MediterraneanHistory #ArchaeologicalDiscoverieS

[orcasea]

I have a new interpretation as well: In the shock, panic and horror of the seemingly eternal pumice and ashfall people died, orphaned children were gathered up and taken in by perfect strangers. Slaves cared for children, as well, and died protecting and attempting to comfort their charges.

That is far more likely than the suggestions being made here.

[kristinmarra]

Good lord, they were in a panic saving themselves. You can’t make any assumptions about their groupings

[hermitlifeinthemountainsub]

I have studied Archaeology. My professor had a Phd. I was so mesmerized by the science, and I respect their very hard work. Thank you for showing us more of the tragic event that happened when Mt. Vesuvius erupted.

[cuspsoftheoverworld]

I suspect displaying social relationships was the last thing on these people’s minds.

[wolverineeagle]

The North African might be a servant of the children’s family and the other person might just be a passersby who sought shelter.

I will also point out that the archeologists are applying their own assumptions and biases. We really have to stop pretending that modern archaeologists are any less biased than previous ones because they aren’t.

Technology doesn’t remove bias.

[mrstinkabell]

These poor people, servants, rich people, Romans or foreign, were thrown together in terror for their lives, probably going to die. I think in these dire and horrifying circumstances they would clutch and grab at anyone to seek some modicum of comfort. They would also probably embrace any children if they had become detached from their families. They were all absolutely terrified. It's hard to imagine now what they must have been feeling and gone through from the comfort of our armchairs. 😢

[jq]

This is purely guess work. The presence of two men near children by no means points to different familial structures.

[silverstreak]

So, in other words, modern archaeologists are doing the exact same thing now that they are accusing past archaeologists of doing back then. Making assumptions about a culture they know very little about by applying their contemporary ideology and values to a past society. In another 100 years there will be a new group of archaeologists coming up with a completely different scenario! And so the vicious cycle rolls merrily onward!

[freda]

Total nonsense. When such catastrofy occurs it could also be very possible that strangers try to help others and when they die still be together.

[desertdarlene]

Perhaps these people were simply pushed together by the pyroclastic flow. The two children may have been on an upper floor that collapsed, for example. The couple that were assumed to be related or lovers could have simply washed or been pushed together by accident. Or, like you said in the video, they simply ran in to get out of the pumice.

[Laxpowertoo]

Excellent video. I have seen some of the casts at Pompeii, and also in the Pompeii exhibition in The museum of science in Boston Ma. a few years back. I've often thought the slightly romantisised descriptions fitted a little too neatly to be correct. I'm always glad to see superb work like this, that brings us nearer to what actually occured all those years ago.

[nigelsheppard]

Shock horror, Pompeii (that Greek Colony in southern Italy) had a population that was Greek! Who knew? Also a population that is panicked ran and mingle with strangers.

[unbreakable]

Substituting one set of unfounded speculation with another set of unfounded speculation is what it sounds like.

[verge]

The Male + Male + 2 children group looks to me, like 2 Male servants (or slaves) holding up cloths over themselves and the children they were protecting in the last moments before their deaths.

[rockross]

The "Roman Empire" did not include Ireland or Scotland (Hadrian's Wall). Your map is incorrect.

[beeeb]

This was a society based on slavery and slaves had no legal status and so couldn't get married. In the Satyricon Trimachio refers to 'that woman you live with' when talking to one of his senior slaves. But many slaves had unstable lives and their relationships were temporary. The upper class Romans thought family was important but many people didn't have families in a conventional sense. Probably DNA at Pompeii reflects this.

[armandrodriguez]

Those "contemporary gender roles" used by the Victorians are thousands of years old.

[samhavoc]

Old information and old beliefs created flawed speculation. New information interpreted by new beliefs, creates new flawed speculation.

[josephwarren]

No, you are hypothesizing based on your particular perspective and agenda.

[silviosposito]

How interpreting archeological findings following today's ideology. Not very scientific indeed.