Genome sequencing rewrites the history of the Pompeii people
The woman with the bracelet was a man and unrelated to the child on her lap
DNA tests have shown that the "woman with the bracelet," one of the most famous victims of the Pompeii eruption, was actually a man.
The results, published in the journal Nature, could force scholars to rethink what they know about the lives and deaths of the Pompeii people.
Who was the "woman with the bracelet"?
The "woman with the bracelet" was found in 1933 during the archaeological excavations of Pompeii, a Roman city that was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 79 AD.
The body was found near the city's thermal baths, and it was quickly identified as a woman because of its skeletal features and the jewelry that it was wearing, including a bracelet.
The body was also found with a child on its lap, a detail that has led to speculation over the relationship between the two individuals.
DNA testing reveals unexpected results
In 2017, researchers at the University of Copenhagen used DNA testing to analyze the remains of the "woman with the bracelet." The results showed that the individual was actually a man.
The researchers also found that the man was not related to the child on his lap, suggesting that they were not a father and son.
The DNA evidence also showed that the man had a genetic condition called Klinefelter's syndrome, which is a genetic disorder that occurs when a male is born with an extra copy of the X chromosome.
Rewriting the history of Pompeii
The results of the DNA testing have forced scholars to rethink what they know about the lives and deaths of the Pompeii people.
The discovery that the "woman with the bracelet" was actually a man has cast doubt on the idea that the city was primarily populated by women and children.
It also suggests that people with genetic conditions like Klinefelter's syndrome were not as marginalized in ancient Roman society as previously thought.
What is the significance of the DNA testing?
The DNA testing of the "woman with the bracelet" is a reminder of the power of DNA to rewrite history and give us new insights into the past.
It also shows that our understanding of the ancient world is constantly evolving, as new evidence comes to light.
The results of the DNA testing are a reminder that the people of Pompeii were not just victims of a tragedy, but also individuals with their own stories and experiences.
