Remains Re-examined
Archaeologists have discovered the first genetically confirmed Roman mother-daughter burial in Austria. The revelation emerged from the analysis of a double grave in the city of Wels. Initially believed to be a medieval couple, the bodies were later found to belong to two women who died around 1,800 years ago.
Initial Findings
The grave contained three skeletons - two adults and a horse - along with gold pendants in the shape of a wheel and a crescent moon. The right hand of one individual was placed around the shoulder of the other, suggesting a close connection.
New Evidence
A re-examination of the remains using carbon dating, ancient DNA analysis, and visual inspection revealed that the skeletons belonged to individuals who died between the ages of 20-25 and 40-60. They lived during the Roman era around the year 200. Anatomical analysis confirmed that both skeletons were female.
DNA Analysis
DNA testing confirmed the remains to be female and closely related, indicating either sisters or a mother and daughter, according to a study published in "Archaeological Science: Reports."
Mother-Daughter Relationship
Based on the DNA results, the age difference, and other factors, the researchers concluded that the individuals were a mother and daughter, with the daughter cradling her mother's body in the grave.
Social Standing
The inclusion of a horse and gold jewelry suggests that the women held a high social status, but outside the Roman aristocracy, according to Dominik Hagmann, lead author and archaeologist at the University of Vienna. He speculates that the individuals may have come from the Celtic culture, which existed alongside the Romans. The practice of burying horses with their owners and other evidence suggests familiarity with horses, indicating that both women may have been frequent riders.
Confirmation
Katy Knortz, a PhD student in archaeology and classical art at Princeton University, acknowledged that while the possibility of the women being sisters cannot be ruled out, the protective posture of the remains and the significant age difference make a mother-daughter relationship more likely.
Summary
The Roman tomb in Wels provides new insights into familial relationships during the Roman period. The re-examination of the remains using advanced techniques has shed light on the lives and deaths of two women, highlighting the complexities of ancient society.