DNA Study Reveals Diversity in Post-Roman Elites

A recent study led by Krishna R. Veeramah from Stony Brook University, along with an international team, offers new insights into how European rural communities evolved after the Roman Empire fell. Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the research focuses on the genetic diversity and social structures of early medieval elites.

The study shows that these early elites, initially consisting of several families with distinct genetic backgrounds, gradually intermarried and merged with newcomers from varied social and cultural backgrounds. By examining ancient DNA, archaeological evidence, and isotopic data, researchers investigated a cemetery in Collegno, Italy, used from the 6th to 8th centuries CE.

The team sequenced genomes from 28 individuals buried in the Collegno cemetery and included data from 24 additional genomes. They explored patterns of social mobility, burial customs, and diet. According to Veeramah, the study reveals that early medieval elites were much more genetically diverse than previously thought, with different families coming together to form new ruling groups.

Earlier research in 2018 found genomic and cultural similarities between Collegno and Szólád, a village in present-day Hungary, indicating a link between northern European ancestry in both sites. This latest study tracks how the Collegno community evolved over a century, showing the integration of new groups with the existing population.

The findings indicate that the initial Collegno community was built around closely related elite families. Over time, these families evolved into a single extended lineage spanning five or more generations. This lineage, which appeared to be of higher social rank, was distinguished by their richer diets and the presence of elaborate burial items, such as weapons and ornate belts.

Ultimately, while the Collegno community began with elite families from northern Europe, it later included individuals from diverse origins and genetic backgrounds, integrating with the local population.