Pompeii was famously buried by hot ash and debris when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79.
The people werent so lucky.
Their remains decayed long ago, besides their skeletons.
Casts of victims of the 79 CE eruption at Pompeii.Photo: Archaeological Park of Pompeii
The researchers behind the new study extracted DNA from 14 of the 86 plaster casts currently undergoing restoration.
Long interpreted as a mother and child, the remains actually belong to an unrelated male and a child.
Another duolong thought to be sisters who died togetherincluded at least one male.
Their exact relationship remains unclear, but they werent two closely related females.
In my view, these findings highlight the potential of ancient DNA analysis.
Pompeii is one of the most horrifyingbut amazingexamples of how a disaster can provide a portal into the past.
New research methods are making it possible to see more through that portal than before.
News from the future, delivered to your present.
Has the Dire Wolf Truly Been Resurrected?
Now, scientists say it belonged to a Denisovan man.
