Archaeologists from the University of Warsaw took part in innovative research that uncovers the history of five generations of the West Germanic Lombard people. An article on this topic was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The international team of researchers looking at the Lombards included scientists from the Department of Bioarchaeology at the University of Warsaw: dr hab. Arkadiusz Sołtysiak, dr Rafał Fetner and dr Ricardo Fernandes. The archaeologists presented the results of analyses of human remains from the Lombard cemetery in Collegno on the outskirts of Turin (northern Italy). The research used archaeogenetic and biochemical methods, which allowed for obtaining detailed insight into the functioning of the local community for at least five generations. The research focused on the origin of ancestors, family ties and even the diet of local communities. The scientists reconstructed three family groups, including one comprising three related families consisting of three to five generations.
- We combined history and archaeology with archaeogenetic and isotopic data to examine the role of the barbarian warrior elite in the community inhabiting Collegno from the 6th to the 8th century. Genome analysis revealed that the cemetery was used by at least three family groups, one of which – whose ancestors came from the north – had a high rank highlighted by the rich grave equipment. The results of the study show how changes in power and migrations after the fall of the Roman Empire influenced the formation of new communities in which Germanic newcomers interacted with the local population of Italy – says Dr. Hab. Arkadiusz Sołtysiak.
source: University of Warsaw
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