Multi-proxy bioarchaeological analysis of skeletal remains shows genetic discontinuity in a Medieval Sicilian community

TY - JOUR

T1 - Multi-proxy bioarchaeological analysis of skeletal remains shows genetic discontinuity in a Medieval Sicilian community

AU - Monnereau, Aurore

AU - Ughi, Alice

AU - Orecchioni, Paola

AU - Hagan, Richard

AU - Talbot, Helen M.

AU - Nikita, Efthymia

AU - Hamilton, Derek

AU - Le Roux, Petrus

AU - Molinari, Alessandra

AU - Carver, Martin

AU - Craig, Oliver E.

AU - Speller, Camilla F.

AU - Alexander, Michelle M.

AU - Wales, Nathan

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The Authors.

PY - 2024/7/24

Y1 - 2024/7/24

N2 - The medieval period in Sicily was turbulent, involving successive regime changes, from Byzantine (Greek Christian), Aghlabid (Sunni Muslim), Fatimid (Shīʿ a Muslim), to Normans and Swabians (Latin Christian). To shed new light on the local implications of regime changes, we conducted a multidisciplinary analysis of 27 individuals buried in adjacent Muslim and Christian cemeteries at the site of Segesta, western Sicily. By combining radiocarbon dating, genome-wide sequencing, stable and radiogenic isotopic data, and archaeological records, we uncover genetic differences between the two communities but find evidence of continuity in other aspects of life. Historical and archaeological evidence shows a Muslim community was present by the 12th century during Norman governance, with the Christian settlement appearing in the 13th century under Swabian governance. A Bayesian analysis of radiocarbon dates from the burials finds the abandonment of the Muslim cemetery likely occurred after the establishment of the Christian cemetery, indicating that individuals of both faiths were present in the area in the first half of the 13th century. The biomolecular results suggest the Christians remained genetically distinct from the Muslim community at Segesta while following a substantially similar diet. This study demonstrates that medieval regime changes had major impacts beyond the political core, leading to demographic changes while economic systems persisted and new social relationships emerged.

AB - The medieval period in Sicily was turbulent, involving successive regime changes, from Byzantine (Greek Christian), Aghlabid (Sunni Muslim), Fatimid (Shīʿ a Muslim), to Normans and Swabians (Latin Christian). To shed new light on the local implications of regime changes, we conducted a multidisciplinary analysis of 27 individuals buried in adjacent Muslim and Christian cemeteries at the site of Segesta, western Sicily. By combining radiocarbon dating, genome-wide sequencing, stable and radiogenic isotopic data, and archaeological records, we uncover genetic differences between the two communities but find evidence of continuity in other aspects of life. Historical and archaeological evidence shows a Muslim community was present by the 12th century during Norman governance, with the Christian settlement appearing in the 13th century under Swabian governance. A Bayesian analysis of radiocarbon dates from the burials finds the abandonment of the Muslim cemetery likely occurred after the establishment of the Christian cemetery, indicating that individuals of both faiths were present in the area in the first half of the 13th century. The biomolecular results suggest the Christians remained genetically distinct from the Muslim community at Segesta while following a substantially similar diet. This study demonstrates that medieval regime changes had major impacts beyond the political core, leading to demographic changes while economic systems persisted and new social relationships emerged.

KW - ancient DNA

KW - archaeological science

KW - isotope analysis

KW - Middle Ages

KW - Sicily

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85201582209&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1098/rsos.240436

DO - 10.1098/rsos.240436

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85201582209

SN - 2054-5703

VL - 11

JO - Royal Society Open Science

JF - Royal Society Open Science

IS - 7

M1 - 240436

ER -