Ancient genomes reveal cosmopolitan ancestry and maternal kinship patterns at post-Roman Worth Matravers, Dorset

2025/08/13 by M. George B. Foody, Katharina Dulias, Pierre Justeau +10 · 1 voice · 2 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Social Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Archaeology and ancient environmental studies #Historical and Cultural Archaeology Studies #Forensic and Genetic Research

paper · pdf · doi:10.15184/aqy.2025.10133

Abstract

Kinship can be difficult to discern in the archaeological record, but the study of ancient DNA offers a useful window into one form of kinship: biological relatedness. Here, the authors explore possible kin connections at the post-Roman site of Worth Matravers in south-west England. They find that, while clusters of genetically related individuals are apparent, the inclusion of unrelated individuals in double or triple burials demonstrates an element of social kinship in burial location. Some individuals also carried genetic signatures of continental ancestry, with one young male revealing recent West African ancestry, highlighting the diverse heritage of early medieval Britain.

Citations

• West African ancestry in seventh-century England: two individuals from Kent and Dorset

Cited by

• West African ancestry in seventh-century England: two individuals from Kent and Dorset
• Ancient DNA reveals pervasive directional selection across West Eurasia

Discussions

• doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2025.1013… [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]

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