Skeleton’s 2,000-Year Journey Revealed: From Southern Russia to a Quiet English Countryside
The Roman Empire’s Hidden Nomadic Invader
The Roman Empire’s Hidden Nomadic Invader
This is a fascinating discovery that sheds light on the movements and lives of individuals in Roman Britain.
The analysis of Offord Cluny 203645’s DNA and teeth provides valuable insights into his origin, journey, and lifestyle.
The DNA analysis conducted by Dr. Marina Silva revealed that Offord belonged to a nomadic group known as the Sarmatians, who originated from the southern regions of Russia, Armenia, and Ukraine. This finding is significant as it represents the first biological evidence of Sarmatians residing in Britain during the Roman period.
The DNA findings
The analysis of Offord’s teeth, focusing on the chemical traces of his diet, further supported the idea that he migrated from the Sarmatian region to Britain. The transition in his diet from millets and sorghum grains, common in the Sarmatian region, to wheat found in western Europe, suggested a gradual westward migration during his upbringing.
How did he get here
Historical records indicating the presence of a Sarmatian cavalry unit in the Roman army posted to Britain align with the DNA evidence, confirming Offord’s likely association with this military unit.
This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the movement of people during the Roman period, suggesting that there was more significant mobility not only in cities but also in rural areas.
Dr. Alex Smith emphasised that the availability of advanced DNA and chemical analysis techniques allows researchers to ask new questions about the formation and evolution of societies in the Roman period.
This study highlights the transformative impact of ancient DNA technology on our understanding of historical periods, expanding beyond the Stone and Bronze Ages to encompass the Roman and later eras.
The discovery of Offord Cluny 203645 provides a unique glimpse into the life of an ordinary individual from a nomadic group in Roman Britain, showcasing the power of modern scientific techniques in unravelling historical mysteries.
DNA sleuths solve mystery of the 2,000-year old corpse — BBC News
The details have been published in the journal, Current Biology.