DNA Analysis Challenges Long-Held Beliefs About Pompeii Victims

Recent DNA analysis of Pompeii’s iconic plaster casts reveals surprising truths about the identities of victims, challenging long-held beliefs about their relationships and gender roles. This groundbreaking study, published in Current Biology, uncovers that a figure previously thought to be a mother is actually male, prompting a reevaluation of family dynamics in ancient Roman society. The findings highlight the importance of modern scientific techniques in understanding historical events and the diverse backgrounds of Pompeii’s inhabitants.