MADRID, 13 (EUROPA PRESS)
DNA from two unrelated individuals buried in 7th-century AD cemeteries on England's south coast reveals recent ancestors, probably grandparents, from West Africa.
During the Early Middle Ages, England experienced significant migration from continental northern Europe. Historical accounts describe the settlement of Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, who gave their name to the Anglo-Saxon period and perhaps to the country itself. However, the extent of movements from more distant locations was less clear.
"Migration, its direction, scale, and impact have been the subject of extensive debate in European archaeology," the authors state. "Archaeogenetic research can now provide new insights, even identifying individual migrants."
To shed more light on migration in early medieval Europe, researchers from several universities conducted DNA analysis on individuals buried in two 7th-century AD cemeteries on the south coast of England: Updown, in Kent, and Worth Matravers, in Dorset. Their results are published in two articles in the journal Antiquity, one on each cemetery.
Kent has always been a conduit for influence from the adjacent continent, and this was particularly marked in the sixth century, which might be termed Kent's "Frankish Phase," says Professor Duncan Sayer of the University of Lancashire, lead author of the Updown paper. "Updown is also close to the royal center of Finglesham, indicating that these connections were part of a wider royal network."
In contrast, Dorset lay outside continental influence," adds Dr. Ceiridwen J. Edwards of the University of Huddersfield, lead author of the Worth Matravers paper. "The archaeological evidence suggests a marked and notable cultural divide between Dorset and the areas to the west, and the areas of Anglo-Saxon influence to the east."
While most of the people buried in the cemeteries were of Northern European or British and West Irish ancestry, both predominant in England at the time, one person in each cemetery had a recent ancestor from West Africa.
In each individual, their mitochondrial DNA (inherited from their mother) was from Northern Europe, but the autosomal DNA (from both parents) showed clear indications of non-European ancestry with affinities to the present-day Yoruba, Mende, Mandenka and Esan groups of sub-Saharan West Africa.
This indicates that both individuals had a mixed genetic and geographical ancestry, unlike the rest of the people buried in the two cemeteries. Further research suggests that both had a paternal grandfather from West Africa.
The Updown grave contains several artifacts, including a vessel possibly imported from Frankish Gaul and a spoon, which could indicate the individual's Christian faith and/or ties to the Byzantine Empire. The Updown cemetery was part of the Kentish royal network, and these artifacts, along with other genetic indicators, point to Updown's continental connections.
In contrast, the Worth Matravers individual was buried alongside a man of British descent and a local limestone anchor. However, in both cases, the fact that both individuals were buried as typical members of their communities indicates that they were valued locally.
Importantly, this adds a new dimension to our understanding of long-distance movement and demographic interaction in Britain during the Early Middle Ages. *Rarely is a volunteer-led project fortunate enough to be associated with a study incorporating the most advanced aDNA analysis,* says Lilian Ladle, FSA, MBE, director of excavations at the post-Roman site of Worth Matravers.
"This study has greatly enhanced our interpretation of archaeological findings by revealing not only fascinating family dynamics but also interesting long-distance connections between groups and individuals."
COSMOPOLITAN MEDIEVAL ENGLAND
"It's significant that it's human DNA—and therefore the movement of people, not just objects—that is now beginning to reveal the nature of long-distance interaction with the continent, Byzantium, and sub-Saharan Africa," says Professor Sayer.
"What's fascinating about these two individuals is that this international connection is found in both the east and west of Britain." Updown is right in the center of the early Anglo-Saxon cultural zone, while Worth Matravers, on the other hand, is just outside its periphery, in the sub-Roman west.
Dr. Edwards concludes: "Our combined results emphasize the cosmopolitan nature of England in the early medieval period, pointing to a diverse population with extensive connections that was nonetheless fully integrated into everyday life."
