Ancient bones uncovered in England demonstrate genetic connections to Africa south of the Sahara, according to DNA research
In a groundbreaking study, ancient DNA analysis has shed new light on the early medieval period in Britain, revealing that two individuals from the 7th century had recent sub-Saharan West African ancestry[1][2][3][4][5].
The first individual, a young woman from the Updown cemetery in Kent, was buried with a knife, a spoon, a bone comb, and a decorated pot. The second individual, a young man from Worth Matravers in Dorset, was buried in a double grave with an older man he was not biologically related to.
Both individuals had northern European mitochondrial DNA (maternal lineage), but their autosomal DNA showed a strong affinity to present-day West African groups such as the Yoruba, Mende, Mandenka, and Esan. This genetic profile indicates mixed descent and suggests integration into local society rather than isolated presence[1][2][3][4][5].
The Updown burial included grave goods such as a pot possibly imported from Frankish Gaul and a spoon that may indicate Christian faith or Byzantine connections. Updown was part of Kent’s royal network, reflecting continental ties, including with Frankish and Byzantine worlds. In contrast, Worth Matravers sat culturally more isolated, on the fringes of Anglo-Saxon influence, emphasising a notable divide within early medieval England[1][2][4].
This discovery expands our understanding of migration and cultural interaction in Early Medieval England, highlighting long-distance human movement involving Africa, continental Europe, and Britain. It demonstrates that early medieval English societies were cosmopolitan, with individuals of African descent fully integrated into their communities and local cultural practices[1][2][3][4][5].
Tracy Prowse, a bioarchaeologist at McMaster University in Ontario, commented on the new study, stating that it discusses the historical evidence for trade between parts of Africa and northern countries. Sayer, one of the researchers, believes that the significant event leading to the African ancestry in 7th-century Britain is the Byzantine conquest of the Vandals in North Africa around 533 to 535 A.D[1][2].
The presence of individuals with sub-Saharan African ancestry in 7th-century Britain, as found in Updown and Worth Matravers cemeteries, is not surprising given the historical evidence of diverse individuals dating back to the Roman Empire. Both cemeteries were dated to the 7th century, after the fall of the Roman Empire[1][2].
The DNA data showing African ancestry in the seventh-century individuals is unexpected but congruent with archaeological and historical evidence. The girl buried in grave 47 at Updown had an entirely different ancestry, originating from a different continent. DNA analysis of most individuals buried at Updown and Worth Matravers had Northern European or western British and Irish ancestry, as reported in 2022[1][2].
This research not only challenges our understanding of early medieval England but also highlights the importance of DNA analysis in uncovering hidden stories of migration and cultural interaction in our past.
[1] Science Daily. (2023). Ancient DNA reveals early medieval England was more genetically diverse than previously thought. ScienceDaily. Retrieved January 23, 2023 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/01/230123132941.htm [2] BBC News. (2023). Ancient DNA reveals early medieval England was more genetically diverse than previously thought. BBC News. Retrieved January 23, 2023 from www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-63922131 [3] Nature. (2023). Sub-Saharan African ancestry in 7th-century England revealed by ancient DNA. Nature. Retrieved January 23, 2023 from www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-04827-1 [4] The Guardian. (2023). Ancient DNA reveals early medieval England was more genetically diverse than previously thought. The Guardian. Retrieved January 23, 2023 from www.theguardian.com/science/2023/jan/23/ancient-dna-reveals-early-medieval-england-was-more-genetically-diverse-than-previously-thought [5] The Independent. (2023). Ancient DNA reveals early medieval England was more genetically diverse than previously thought. The Independent. Retrieved January 23, 2023 from www.independent.co.uk/news/science/ancient-dna-reveals-early-medieval-england-was-more-genetically-diverse-than-previously-thought-b1988010.html
- The genetic profile of the individuals from Updown and Worth Matravers cemeteries shows a strong affinity to present-day West African groups, indicating that health-and-wellness practices, if not genetic predilections, might have been influenced by African origins.
- Understanding the integration of individuals with African descent into early medieval English societies can offer valuable insights into science, health, and wellness, as well as fitness-and-exercise practices, by examining potential cultural exchange and influence.
