
<p><em>By Éadaoin Harney, Ph.D</em></p>



<p>This December, we’re adding 18 new individuals dating to the Late Antique Period in Dalmatia to our <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Matches</a><sup>SM</sup> feature.</p>



<p>These newly added historical matches offer a rare biological glimpse into a world in transition during the decline of the Roman Empire. Keep reading to learn more about the region’s unique history.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-the-late-antique-period">What is the Late Antique Period?</h2>



<p>Historians generally define the &#8220;Late Antique&#8221; period as the era between the third and seventh centuries CE. It was a time of significant transformation for the Roman world, as political instability, shifting borders, and economic pressures altered long-standing structures across the Mediterranean. This period bridged the gap between the classical Roman era and the early Middle Ages.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-is-dalmatia">Where is Dalmatia?</h2>



<p>The Roman province of Dalmatia was situated along the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, encompassing much of modern-day Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and parts of Serbia and Albania. The region takes its name from the Dalmatae, an Illyrian tribe that historically inhabited the interior.</p>



<p>For centuries, Dalmatia was integrated into the imperial Roman system, featuring established coastal towns, island settlements, and a network of roads and ports that linked the Eastern and Western halves of the Empire. Its position along major maritime routes meant it remained a key logistical hub even as the Empire faced mounting challenges.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-in-the-late-antique-port-of-hvar">Life in the Late Antique Port of Hvar</h2>



<p>Although we know Dalmatia served as a vital connection point during this period, historical records reveal relatively little about the daily lives of its inhabitants. To fill this gap, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39606698/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a 2024 study</a> analyzed the remains of 33 individuals recovered from the Hvar-Radoševi? burial site on the island of Hvar.</p>



<p>Using a multidisciplinary approach that combined ancient DNA sequencing, chemical dietary analysis, and skeletal health assessments, the research team reconstructed the biological profile of this community.</p>



<p>Their findings painted a vivid picture of a community shaped by its connection to the wider Roman world. While most individuals were genetically similar to other ancient Mediterranean populations, the study identified several outliers with roots in the eastern Mediterranean and North Africa, confirming the island&#8217;s role as a cosmopolitan crossroads.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, the instability of the Roman world at this time also had its impact. Despite access to the sea, the dietary analysis revealed a surprise: the population appears to have consumed very little seafood, subsisting mostly on grains and terrestrial crops. The skeletal evidence further revealed that life in this strategic port was physically demanding, characterized by high childhood mortality and signs of significant physiological stress.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-more">Learn More</h2>



<p>Could you be connected to the inhabitants of Late Antique Dalmatia—or to hundreds of other historical individuals? The Historical Matches feature is available to <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ members.</p>



<div style="float: center; text-align: justified; width: 700px; background-color: #eee; padding: 15px;">
<h4>About the Author</h4>
<p><strong>Éadaoin Harney</strong>, Ph.D — Scientist II, Population Genetics R&#038;D
</p>
<p> 
Dr. Éadaoin Harney is an expert in the field of ancient DNA, with over a decade of experience extracting, sequencing, and analyzing the DNA of ancient and historical people from across the globe. Dr. Harney is a Population Geneticist at 23andMe and a Lecturer in the Department of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, where she teaches courses on human population genetics. Her current research focuses on searching for direct (Identical-by-Descent) genetic connections between historical and living people to learn about historical migrations and to help restore genealogical connections to the past that have been lost to time.</p>

</div>


New Historical Matches Could Connect You to the Dalmatian Coast During the Late Roman Period


<p>Everything we do at the 23andMe Research Institute starts with our amazing community of consented research participants. The data they share helps our scientists uncover new insights about genetics, across health and ancestry, pushing science forward in ways that we hope can benefit different communities, researchers, and future generations. These discoveries are also returned to our members in the form of new reports and features: from more detailed ancestry breakdowns to new health reports on a variety of conditions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>With that spirit of discovery in mind, here are some of the new reports and product features that our consented research participants and expert scientists helped to make happen in 2025.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-genetic-health-amp-wellness-reports-and-features">New Genetic Health &amp; Wellness Reports and Features</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="960" height="353" src="/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/health-product-generic.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34664" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/health-product-generic.png 960w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/12/health-product-generic-300x110.png 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/12/health-product-generic-768x282.png 768w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/12/health-product-generic-880x324.png 880w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></figure>



<p>This year, consented 23andMe research participants, along with our groundbreaking research platform, delivered new polygenic risk score (PRS) reports to our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ members, offering deeper insights into complex health conditions.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/genetics-may-explain-why-some-athletes-are-more-prone-to-acl-tears"><strong>ACL Tear</strong></a></td><td>Shows how a person&#8217;s genetics may influence their likelihood of experiencing an ACL tear, an injury common in high-impact sports.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/menopause-isnt-just-for-later-what-you-should-know-now"><strong>Early Menopause</strong></a></td><td>Offers insights to female members into the genetic predisposition for experiencing natural menopause before age 45.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/could-your-painful-periods-be-endometriosis-heres-what-you-should-know"><strong>Endometriosis</strong></a></td><td>Helps female members understand their genetic likelihood of developing endometriosis, a common condition that often takes years to diagnose.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/acid-attack-unraveling-the-genetics-of-gerd"><strong>GERD</strong></a></td><td>Provides insight into the genetics of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that impacts around 20% of people in the U.S.&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/osteoporosis-report"><strong>Osteoporosis</strong></a></td><td>Estimates an individual&#8217;s genetic likelihood of developing low bone density.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-report-on-severe-morning-sickness"><strong>Severe Morning Sickness</strong></a></td><td>Allows female members to assess their genetic likelihood of experiencing severe morning sickness during pregnancy.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p>We also answered the call from our members to provide more information about MTHFR as well as genetic differences that can impact health disparities.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/our-take-on-the-mthfr-gene"><strong>Homocysteine (MTHFR-Related)</strong></a></td><td>Examines common variants in the MTHFR gene associated with slightly increased homocysteine levels in the blood.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/the-duffy-antigen-gene-a-clue-behind-white-blood-cell-differences"><strong>White Blood Cell Count (Duffy Antigen-Related)</strong></a></td><td>Raises awareness about the Duffy null genotype, which is common among people with African ancestry and leads to naturally lower white blood cell counts. Understanding this can help prevent misdiagnoses and unnecessary follow-up testing.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-health-beyond-dna"><br>Expanding Health Beyond DNA</h3>



<p>We further expanded our integrated health offerings to include expanded direct access to blood testing services (where available), including the <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andme-expands-blood-testing-biological-age">Biological Age Panel</a>. This allows members to get a more complete health picture by combining genetic and real-time health data.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-major-ancestry-updates">Major Ancestry Updates</h2>



<p>2025 brought the most significant update ever to our Ancestry Composition report, expanding granularity and increasing accuracy across the globe. Members can now see if they have connections to more than 4,500 geographic regions, the most comprehensive ancestry breakdown on the market.</p>



<p><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/ancestry-composition-version-7-is-here" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Ancestry Composition v7.0</strong></a> was a major overhaul, adding 33 new European populations and 6 new Indigenous American populations to our Ancestry Composition breakdown. Thanks to a new DNA phasing pipeline and a new method for refining reference panels, the update also improved accuracy for other regions of the world. Finally, a new chromosome painting method&nbsp; eliminated &#8220;Broadly&#8221; and &#8220;Unassigned&#8221; categories in the default view.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="508" src="/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/image-1024x508.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34636" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/image-1024x508.png 1024w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/12/image-300x149.png 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/12/image-768x381.png 768w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/12/image-880x437.png 880w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/12/image-1180x586.png 1180w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/12/image.png 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>We also added more than 800 new Genetic Groups this year. These updates were available to all 23andMe members, with additional features (such as <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/discover-distant-genetic-groups-with-23andme-premium" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Distant Genetic Groups</a>) for 23andMe+ Premium members.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-genetic-groups-in-eastern-europe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Eastern European Genetic Groups</strong></a></td><td>Introduces Genetic Groups for people with ancestry in Belarus, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/european-diaspora-genetic-groups-update" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>European Diaspora</strong></a> <strong><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/genetic-groups-french-german-us-canada" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Genetic Groups</a></strong></td><td>Adds new Genetic Groups for people of European descent who settled in the U.S., Canada, and South Africa.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/a-new-era-for-african-genetic-groups-at-23andme" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Expanded African Genetic Groups</strong></a></td><td>Expands from 25 to over 250 Genetic Groups across Sub-Saharan Africa, offering significantly more detail and precision for members in the African diaspora.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-genetic-groups-in-china-korea-mongolia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Genetic Groups in China, Korea, Mongolia</strong></a></td><td>Expands Genetic Groups in East Asia, providing matches for members with ancestry from China, Korea, and Mongolia.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/genetic-groups-south-asia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>South Asian Genetic Groups</strong></a></td><td>Adds more detail to Genetic Groups in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Afghanistan.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historical-matches">Historical Matches</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="393" src="/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/historical_matches-1-1024x393.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34662" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/historical_matches-1-1024x393.png 1024w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/12/historical_matches-1-300x115.png 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/12/historical_matches-1-768x295.png 768w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/12/historical_matches-1-880x338.png 880w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/12/historical_matches-1-1180x453.png 1180w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/12/historical_matches-1.png 1668w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>The <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches">Historical Matches</a><sup>SM</sup> feature continued to expand with over 275 new individuals added, connecting 23andMe+ Premium members to ancient and notable figures from diverse eras and regions.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/historical-matches-ancient-china" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Ancient China</strong></a></td><td>Adds fifty-six new Historical Matches from three recent studies of ancient China, offering connections to populations like those in Shandong Province and Chang’an.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-historical-matches-could-connect-you-to-cheddar-man-and-britains-earliest-farmers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Cheddar Man and Early Farmers in Britain</strong></a></td><td>Allows members to explore how the transition to farming transformed ancient Britain through 18 ancient individuals, including the famous Cheddar Man.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/historical-matches-beyond-an-xx-or-xy-binary" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Chromosome Number Diversity in the Past</strong></a></td><td>Adds historical matches based on a 2024 study identifying ancient individuals in Britain with sex chromosome variations (aneuploidies).</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/historical-matches-african-american-us-mexico" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Early Colonial Africans in Mexico &amp; Individuals from Catoctin Furnace</strong></a></td><td>Expands the Historical Matches feature to include 16 new historical African and African American individuals from Catoctin Furnace (U.S.) and colonial Mexico.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/historical-matches-from-early-medieval-france" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Early Medieval France</strong></a></td><td>Features individuals from early medieval France, highlighting evidence of migration from Great Britain, Ireland, and North Africa in shaping the region&#8217;s demography.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-historical-matches-connect-to-erik-the-reds-home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Erik the Red&#8217;s Homestead</strong></a></td><td>Adds four new individuals from the Viking Age settlement of Brattahlid, the homestead of Erik the Red, to the Historical Matches feature.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-historical-matches-could-connect-you-a-lineage-of-iron-age-celtic-women-in-britain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Iron Age Celtic Women</strong></a></td><td>Adds matches to a lineage of Iron Age Celtic women in Britain, suggesting a matrilocal society.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-historical-matches-could-connect-you-to-medieval-iberians" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Medieval Iberians</strong></a></td><td>Adds individuals from Las Gobas, a medieval site in northern Spain, revealing insights into a small, isolated Christian community.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/historical-matches-may-link-you-to-named-historical-figures" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Named Historical Figures</strong></a></td><td>Includes DNA matches for notable individuals like George Bähr (German architect) and Bishop Peder Winstrup (Swedish bishop).</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/historical-matches-ancient-irish-elite" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Neolithic Ireland</strong></a></td><td>Adds individuals connected to an elite, megalithic society in Neolithic Ireland that built passage tombs over 5,000 years ago.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-historical-matches-the-mysterious-skeletons-of-roopkund-lake" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>The Mystery of Roopkund Lake</strong></a></td><td>Features genetic analysis of skeletons from Roopkund Lake, revealing three distinct groups with South Asian, Eastern Mediterranean, and Southeast Asian ancestries.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-historical-matches-could-connect-you-to-europes-viking-age" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Viking Age Europe</strong></a></td><td>Adds 23 individuals from sites across Europe and Greenland to study the genetic diversity of the Viking Age.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-we-continue-to-deliver-cutting-edge-ancestry-science-nbsp">We continue to deliver cutting-edge ancestry science&nbsp;</h3>



<p>This year we also improved the DNA Relatives features with <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/update-to-dna-relatives" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">two new updates</a>: improved relationship prediction estimates and the HybridIBD™ algorithm. These updates dramatically enhance the accuracy of DNA Relatives predictions, in particular benefiting members with diverse ancestries.</p>



<p>Finally we recently launched Reconstructed Ancestors to 23andMe+ Premium <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/360013592713-23andMe-Beta-Testing-Program?_gl=1%2Aqni4iy%2A_ga%2ANjA0MDE5NzczLjE3NTE0NzQwNTA.%2A_ga_G330GF3ZFF%2AczE3NTU4ODE1NjQkbzUwJGcxJHQxNzU1ODgxNzAzJGo2MCRsMCRoMA.." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beta testers</a>. This early feature uses a highly advanced algorithm along with your DNA and the DNA from relatives on your Family Tree, to piece together the ancestry composition of ungenotyped parents, grandparents and eventually other ancestors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-year-of-insight-and-connection">A Year of Insight and Connection</h2>



<p>2025 gave us the opportunity to bring a wealth of new insights and features to our members, and the cycle of discovery isn’t slowing down thanks to the continued participation of our research community. As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited to push genetic science even further, expanding what’s possible and continuing to build a more inclusive, accurate, and empowering experience for everyone on their journey of self-discovery. The best is yet to come.</p>


From Research to Real Insights: 23andMe’s New Product Features for 2025


<p>The invention of farming was one of the most transformative developments in human history. It didn’t happen just once — agriculture was independently invented in multiple locations across the globe beginning around 10,000 to 12,000 years ago, soon after the end of the last Ice Age. As farming spread, it reshaped human societies, diets, and even our DNA.</p>



<p>This month, we’re exploring how this transformation unfolded in ancient Britain by adding 18 ancient individuals who lived before and after the adoption of farming to the <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Matches</a><sup>SM</sup> feature — including one ancient individual whose name you might recognize: Cheddar Man.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-arrival-of-farming-to-ancient-britain">The Arrival of Farming to Ancient Britain</h2>



<p>For most of the last Ice Age, Britain — like much of northern Europe — was too cold and inhospitable for humans to live there year-round. As the climate warmed around 12,000 years ago, hunter-gatherer groups began to resettle the region. This period is known as the Mesolithic Period (10,000–4,000 BCE).</p>



<p>At that time, Britain was still connected to continental Europe by a vast, low-lying plain called Doggerland, which allowed people and animals to move freely between the two regions. Around 8,000 years ago, rising sea levels submerged Doggerland beneath the North Sea, leaving Britain — and nearby Ireland — geographically isolated from the rest of Europe.</p>



<p>Because of this isolation, the spread of farming, which began in southwestern Europe about 9,000 years ago, didn’t reach Britain until roughly 6,000 years ago. That arrival marks the start of the Neolithic period (4,000–2,500 BCE) — a time of sweeping change that reshaped diets, settlement patterns, and daily life across the islands.</p>



<p><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30988490/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">In 2019</a>, researchers published the genomes of six Mesolithic and sixteen Neolithic individuals from across Britain to understand how the shift to farming affected local populations. They wanted to know whether Britain’s first farmers were descendants of earlier Mesolithic hunter-gatherers, or newcomers who migrated from the continent.</p>



<p>The results supported the second scenario: the earliest farmers in Britain had genetic ancestry distinct from the earlier hunter-gatherers, and were instead most closely related to farming populations from the Aegean region. This finding suggests that agriculture arrived in Britain not by cultural diffusion, but through the migration of farming communities who largely replaced the local Mesolithic populations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-was-cheddar-man">Who was Cheddar Man?</h2>



<p>Perhaps the most famous individual included in the 2019 study was Cheddar Man, a Mesolithic hunter-gatherer whose nickname comes from where he was discovered — Cheddar Gorge in Somerset. He lived around 10,000 years ago, and his skeleton remains one of the oldest and most complete ever found in Britain.</p>



<p>Using 3D scans of his skull and genetic data extracted from his remains, researchers <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/cheddar-man-mesolithic-britain-blue-eyed-boy.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">created a facial reconstruction</a> showing that Cheddar Man likely had dark skin, dark curly hair, and blue eyes — a combination that was probably common among Mesolithic Europeans.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cheddar_Man_National_History_Museum_London-1024x683.jpg" alt="Cheddar Man reconstruction. Attribution:
Werner Ustorf, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0&gt;, via Wikimedia Commons" class="wp-image-34462" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cheddar_Man_National_History_Museum_London-1024x683.jpg 1024w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cheddar_Man_National_History_Museum_London-300x200.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cheddar_Man_National_History_Museum_London-768x512.jpg 768w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cheddar_Man_National_History_Museum_London-880x587.jpg 880w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cheddar_Man_National_History_Museum_London-1180x787.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>A reconstruction of Cheddar Man</em>. <em>Werner Ustorf, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CC BY-SA 2.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>These results challenged long-held assumptions about what the first inhabitants of Britain looked like and helped spark a broader conversation about how human populations in Europe — and their appearances — have changed over time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-reminder-of-why-we-need-to-present-scientific-findings-with-care">A Reminder of Why We Need to Present Scientific Findings with Care</h2>



<p>Cheddar Man’s DNA has made headlines before. In 1997, researchers at the University of Oxford extracted the first ancient DNA from his remains. This early analysis focused on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) — the small portion of the genome inherited only through the maternal line. They identified Cheddar Man’s mtDNA as belonging to haplogroup U5, later refined to the U5b1 sub-lineage. This maternal lineage was common among Mesolithic hunter-gatherers across Europe, highlighting Cheddar Man’s genetic connections to other post-Ice Age populations.</p>



<p>Although scientifically valid, the way this finding was presented to the public caused confusion. As part of a public engagement project, researchers compared Cheddar Man’s mtDNA to that of residents in the nearby village of Cheddar. One participant, a local schoolteacher, shared the same U5 haplogroup. This was reported as evidence of continuity between ancient and modern populations — and media outlets sensationalized it as proof that a “direct descendant” of Cheddar Man was living nearby.</p>



<p>In reality, that connection was likely extremely distant. The U5 haplogroup is ancient (emerging around 25,000–30,000 years ago) and widespread, found in roughly 5–12% of modern Europeans, meaning many unrelated people carry it by chance. Moreover, because mitochondrial DNA is passed only from mothers to children, it cannot be used to identify direct descendants of a male individual like Cheddar Man.</p>



<p>This story is a reminder of the importance of communicating genetic findings carefully. At 23andMe we search across your whole genome for places where you share identical DNA. Nevertheless, if Cheddar Man appears among your Historical Matches, it does not mean you are his direct descendant. Instead, it means you share a distant common ancestor somewhere in the past — possibly long before Cheddar Man lived — and inherited the same segment of DNA from that ancestor.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-more">Learn more</h2>



<p>Now that you know more about Cheddar Man — and what genetic analyses can (and cannot) tell you about your relationship to him — check out the Historical Matches feature (available to <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ members). You can see whether your DNA connects you with Cheddar Man or any of the other ancient individuals from across Britain highlighted this month — along with the hundreds of other historical people already included in the feature.</p>


New Historical Matches Could Connect You to Cheddar Man and Britain’s Earliest Farmers


<p>Every year on the third Saturday in October, the world celebrates International Archaeology Day, recognizing the important contributions archaeological research makes to society. This year, to celebrate, we&#8217;re spotlighting one of our favorite archaeological mysteries in the <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Matches</a><sup>SM </sup>feature—the skeletons of Roopkund Lake.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-about-roopkund-lake"><strong>About Roopkund Lake</strong></h2>



<p>Roopkund Lake is a small glacial lake located over 5,000 meters (over 16,000 ft) above sea level in the Nanda Devi National Park, in the Indian Himalayas. In 1942, a forest ranger patrolling the park stumbled upon a chilling scene: hundreds of skeletal remains strewn around the lake. The site has captivated researchers and locals alike ever since.</p>



<p>The mystery of who these individuals were, how they died, and why they were in such a remote and inhospitable location has sparked decades of speculation. Some early researchers proposed that the remains belonged to an army that had lost its way in the mountains, while others suggested they might have been traders following a trans-Himalayan route that had since vanished. A few archaeologists posited that they were pilgrims traveling to nearby shrines, possibly part of the ancient <em>Nanda Devi Raj Jat</em>, a religious procession spanning ~290 kilometers (~180 miles) that is still undertaken in the region every 12 years.</p>



<p>The identification of women and children among the dead, however, made some of the proposed explanations less plausible–especially the claim that they may have been members of an army. Without weapons, trade goods, or written records, no single theory could fully account for the diversity and composition of the group. Local folklore offered its own interpretation: a king, his family, and attendants on a pilgrimage to honor the mountain goddess Nanda Devi had violated sacred protocol and were struck down by a deadly hailstorm in divine retribution.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-exciting-23andme-connection"><strong>An exciting 23andMe connection</strong></h2>



<p><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31431628/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">In 2019</a>, scientists sequenced the genomes of 38 individuals from Roopkund Lake in an effort to better understand the origins of the mysterious remains. But instead of resolving this longstanding mystery, their findings uncovered an even more complex puzzle. </p>



<p>So what makes this story one of 23andMe’s favorite archaeological mysteries? That 2019 research study was actually led by our very own Dr. Éadaoin Harney—a Scientist on the Population Genetics R&amp;D Team and 23andMe’s “resident ancient DNA expert.” She worked on this study during her PhD at Harvard University where she was a member of Prof. David Reich’s ancient DNA laboratories–one of the largest ancient DNA research laboratories in the world.</p>



<p>“<strong>When I first started working with the Roopkund ancient DNA data, I thought that genetics would be a simple and straightforward way to finally help solve the mystery of who they were</strong>,” said Dr. Harney. But she was in for a big surprise! “The first hint that this wasn’t going to be as simple as I initially thought was when we discovered how ancestrally diverse the Roopkund individuals were. Then we learned that they didn’t all die at the same time, as had previously been believed. Instead radiocarbon dates generated from the bones spanned over 1,000 years.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-dna-adds-to-the-mystery"><strong>How DNA adds to the mystery</strong></h2>



<p>The 2019 genetic analysis showed that the individuals fell into three distinct genetic groups, with ancestries from across the globe.</p>



<p>The largest group (which we’ll refer to as Roopkund A) consisted of 23 individuals who died between the 7th and 10th centuries CE, likely during multiple distinct events. Genetically, all appeared South Asian, but with remarkably diverse ancestries–each individual appeared most closely related to different present-day South Asian populations. This finding suggests that they may have traveled to the lake from multiple locations across the subcontinent. Although the exact purpose of their journey to Roopkund Lake remains uncertain, some researchers speculate that they may have been early participants in the <em>Nanda Devi Raj Jat</em>, a traditional pilgrimage that still passes by the lake every 12 years.</p>



<p>The other two groups were even more surprising. One group (Roopkund B) consisted of 14 individuals whose DNA connected them to present-day populations from the eastern Mediterranean—particularly populations in Greece and neighboring regions. The third group (Roopkund C) was represented by a single individual with genetic ancestry most similar to Southeast Asian populations. Radiocarbon dating revealed that these individuals likely died in a single event some time between the 17th and 20th centuries. Why people with ancestry from such distant regions were traveling together in one of the most remote parts of the Himalayas remains a mystery to this day.</p>



<p>Dr. Harney joined 23andMe in 2020 with the goal of creating an approach to identify direct genetic connections between historical and living people. She and her colleagues on the Population Genetics R&amp;D Team succeeded! This technology was first described in their <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10958645/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2023 study of African Americans from Catoctin Furnace</a>, which was published in (and featured on the cover of) Science. She then helped spearhead the creation of the 23andMe Historical Matches feature, enabling customers to learn how they connect to different historical and ancient individuals.</p>



<p>Over the last five years, one of her secret ambitions was to use this technology to try and finally solve the mystery of the Roopkund individuals&#8217; identities. Could identifying any close genetic relatives of the Roopkund individuals in the 23andMe genetic database help us learn about their identities and answer what brought them to Roopkund?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-did-we-solve-the-mystery"><strong>Did we solve the mystery?</strong></h2>



<p>We compared the Roopkund individuals to over 11 million research consenting participants in the 23andMe genetic database. While we were hoping this analysis would reveal a number of close genetic relatives, unfortunately, the mystery of Roopkund Lake lives on.</p>



<p>We found that only about 1,240 research participants—less than 0.011% of the individuals included in our analysis—share any sort of genetic connection to the Roopkund individuals. And of those participants, we can count the number of individuals who share over 30 cM of DNA (what we label a “significant genetic connection” in the Historical Matches feature) on just one hand. In fact, we found so few &#8220;significant relatives” that the chances any of those connections trace back to a recent shared common ancestor on a genealogical family tree are extremely slim.</p>



<p><em>(Although if you happen to be one of those lucky individuals who sees a “significant connection” listed to one of the Roopkund individuals in your 23andMe report, please </em><a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/requests/new" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>reach out to us</em></a><em>, as we’d love to learn more!)</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-else-did-we-discover"><strong>What else did we discover?</strong></h2>



<p>So, we didn’t solve the mystery of who the Roopkund individuals were, but we did gather fascinating data about their connections to the present day.</p>



<p>First, here is a breakdown of the 17 Roopkund individuals whose DNA was well preserved enough to include in our analyses:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>8 from Roopkund A (South Asian ancestry)</li>



<li>8 from Roopkund B (Eastern Mediterranean ancestry)</li>



<li>1 from Roopkund C (Southeast Asian ancestry)</li>
</ul>



<p>As we mentioned, about 1,240 23andMe research participants shared a genetic connection to the Roopkund individuals. The figure below shows the number of matches each Roopkund group received and highlights the amount of DNA shared. As you can see, the vast majority of the connections we discovered involve less than 20 cM of DNA, meaning that they likely trace back to a shared common ancestor who lived long before any of the Roopkund individuals.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="411" height="252" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-3.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34359" style="width:625px;height:auto" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-3.png 411w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-3-300x184.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 411px) 100vw, 411px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>This figure shows the distribution of total shared DNA that we detected between 23andMe research participants and each of the Roopkund groups (A, B and C). It shows that the vast majority of the connections we identified are to individuals in the Roopkund B group, and the DNA segments they share are shorter than 15 cM. In order to protect participant privacy, all counts <em> less than or equal to </em>5 are masked and appear equal to 5. </em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Of those who share a genetic connection, the majority (~1,160) shared a connection to one or more individuals in the Roopkund B group—the one with Eastern Mediterranean-related ancestry. This didn&#8217;t surprise us, since the majority of 23andMe research participants have European ancestry, making them more likely to be related to the Roopkund B individuals.</p>



<p>In addition to occurring more frequently, the Roopkund B individuals also shared some of the strongest genetic connections to 23andMe research participants, as shown in the figure below which depicts the maximum amount of DNA that each Roopkund individual shared with a research participant.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="643" height="448" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-4.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34360" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-4.png 643w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-4-300x209.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 643px) 100vw, 643px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>This figure shows the maximum amount of shared DNA that we detected between 23andMe research participants and each of the Roopkund individuals. The individuals are arranged along the x-axis by when they lived, as measured by radiocarbon dating. We masked this result for Roopkund individuals who shared DNA with 5 or fewer 23andMe research participants in order to protect participant privacy, and reported maximum DNA sharing as equal to 0.</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>We decided to see what Genetic Groups the Roopkund individuals could be connected to, using the same approach that we use to connect customers to these Genetic Groups.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Many of the Roopkund B individuals received matches to Genetic Groups in south eastern Europe, with the strongest connections to groups in Greece and Crete–exactly mirroring the findings of the original study!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="849" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/roopkund_b_2-1024x849.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34352" style="width:575px" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/roopkund_b_2-1024x849.png 1024w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/roopkund_b_2-300x249.png 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/roopkund_b_2-768x636.png 768w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/roopkund_b_2-880x729.png 880w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/roopkund_b_2-1180x978.png 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>This map shows the location of the different Genetic Groups that we compared the Roopkund B individuals to. Groups shown in darker colors shared the strongest genetic matches to one or more of the Roopkund B individuals.</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Since the Roopkund A and Roopkund C individuals shared far fewer genetic connections to 23andMe research participants, it was hard to localize their ancestry in the same way. But we were able to connect the Roopkund C individual to a single Genetic Group, located in China. This finding is generally consistent with the original study, where this individual exhibited connections to populations in East and Southeast Asia.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="874" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/roopkund_c_2-1024x874.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34353" style="width:592px;height:auto" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/roopkund_c_2-1024x874.png 1024w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/roopkund_c_2-300x256.png 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/roopkund_c_2-768x655.png 768w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/roopkund_c_2-880x751.png 880w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/roopkund_c_2-1180x1007.png 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>This map shows the location of the different Genetic Groups that we compared the Roopkund C individual to. Groups shown in darker colors shared the strongest genetic matches to the Roopkund C individual.</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>We couldn’t connect the Roopkund A individuals to any of the Genetic Groups that we have identified. That doesn’t mean they aren’t genetically related to any of these groups. Instead it is likely just because the original research team was only able to sequence a small amount of DNA from these individuals, making it harder to connect them to research participants in the 23andMe database.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next"><strong>What’s Next?</strong></h2>



<p>So for now, all we can say is that the mystery of Roopkund Lake continues. But we promise this archaeological site is one that is close to our hearts. If we have any updates in the future, we’ll be sure to let you know.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-more"><strong>Learn more</strong></h2>



<p>Want to see if you share a genetic connection with any of the individuals who died at Roopkund Lake—or hundreds of other historical people? The Historical Matches feature is available to <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ members.</p>



<p>And if you are interested in finding ways to celebrate International Archaeology Day, check out organizations like the Archaeological Institute of America, which has an exciting <a href="https://www.archaeological.org/events/category/international-archaeology-day/list/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">calendar of Archaeology-related events</a>.</p>



<p></p>


New Historical Matches Could Connect You to the Mysterious Skeletons of Roopkund Lake


<p>Each year from September 15–October 15, National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of people from Spain, Latin America, and other Spanish-speaking communities. To mark the occasion, we’re highlighting a remarkable ancient DNA study from Las Gobas, a medieval site in northern Spain that sheds new light on life in early Iberia, which comprises present-day Spain and Portugal.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-setting-the-scene-iberia-in-the-early-medieval-period">Setting the Scene: Iberia in the Early Medieval Period</h2>



<p>From the 5th to 8th centuries CE, Iberia was ruled by the Visigoths, a Germanic people who established power after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. In 711 CE, their kingdom collapsed after the Umayyads—an Islamic dynasty with roots in Arabia and North Africa—invaded and established the Emirate (and later the Caliphate) of Córdoba. This new state controlled much of Iberia, along with the Balearic Islands and parts of North Africa.</p>



<p>In the mountainous north, however, many communities retained their independence and Christian traditions, even as the rest of the Iberian peninsula underwent profound cultural and political change.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-at-las-gobas">Life at Las Gobas</h2>



<p>Las Gobas, located in today’s province of Burgos in northern Spain, consists of 13 rock-cut caves and several freestanding structures. Beginning in the 7th century, it served as a mixed-use settlement with homes, a Christian church, and a cemetery. By the late 9th century, the residential area was abandoned, but the site continued to be used as a burial ground and place of worship until the 11th century.</p>



<p><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39196943/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">In 2024</a>, researchers analyzed DNA from 33 individuals buried at Las Gobas. They discovered that the community’s ancestry remained surprisingly stable over the centuries, with little evidence of genetic influence from the Islamic expansion that reshaped much of Iberia.</p>



<p>Why was Las Gobas different? Their DNA offered a clue. Many individuals carried stretches of identical DNA inherited from both parents—patterns that often occur in small, insular populations with limited outside contact. This genetic isolation likely helped shield the community from broader population shifts happening elsewhere.</p>



<p>The study also revealed striking details about life at Las Gobas:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Inbreeding: </strong>The DNA of several individuals showed evidence that their parents were close relatives; likely first cousins or closer.</li>



<li><strong>Disease:</strong> DNA evidence showed infections from multiple pathogens, including what may be one of the earliest documented cases of smallpox in northern Iberia.</li>



<li><strong>Violence:</strong> Skeletal remains showed signs of traumatic injuries, likely from swords—evidence of interpersonal conflict or warfare.</li>
</ul>



<p>Taken together, the findings paint a vivid—and sometimes harsh—picture of life more than a thousand years ago in a small, tightly knit community in northern Spain.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-more">Learn more</h2>



<p>Want to see if you share a genetic connection with these newly added individuals from Las Gobas—or hundreds of other historical people? The <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Matches</a><sup>SM</sup> feature is available to <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ members.</p>



<p></p>


New Historical Matches Could Connect You to the Medieval Iberian Site of Las Gobas


<p>This August, we’re adding 23 new historical individuals whose genomes were studied as part of a large-scale investigation into one of Europe’s most iconic eras—the Viking Age (800–1050 CE).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-a-viking">What is a Viking?</h2>



<p>The term Vikings refers to seafaring people from Scandinavia (present-day Denmark, Sweden, and Norway) who lived between the late 8th and late 11th centuries. Renowned for their sailing skills and distinctive longships, Vikings traveled widely—raiding, trading, and settling far beyond their homelands. Their influence stretched from the North Atlantic and Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Middle East, and even as far as North America.</p>



<p>This period of exploration and expansion left lasting cultural and genetic legacies across Europe and beyond, which scientists can now explore through ancient DNA.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-the-genetics-of-the-viking-age">Studying the Genetics of the Viking Age</h2>



<p>In 2020, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32939067/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">researchers sequenced the genomes of 442 individuals</a> from archaeological sites across Europe and Greenland dating to, or around, the Viking Age. The results revealed that Viking populations were genetically diverse and spread their ancestries into many regions. For example, the study found evidence of:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Danish-like ancestry moving into England</li>



<li>Swedish-like ancestry reaching the Balkans</li>



<li>Norwegian-like ancestry influencing Ireland, Iceland, and Greenland</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-some-of-the-newly-added-individuals">Meet Some of the Newly Added Individuals</h2>



<p>The 23 historical individuals we’re adding this month come from eight archaeological sites that span the wide geographic range touched by Vikings. Highlights include:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>A 10th-century ship burial on Tomme Island, Norway.</strong> Excavated in 1910, this large earthen mound overlooked a natural harbor and contained a mid-10th century ship, the remains of two individuals, and rich grave goods, including weapons and jewelry.</li>



<li><strong>The Salme ship burials, Saaremaa, Estonia.</strong> First discovered in 2008 during construction work, the site revealed two ship burials. The first contained seven individuals; the second, 34. These burials likely held warrior-seafarers who died in an armed conflict during the Vendel Period (8th century), which directly preceded the Viking Age.</li>



<li><strong>An Icelandic church buried under volcanic ash.</strong> Archaeologists uncovered a mid-10th century hall, an associated cemetery, and a church in southern Iceland. Based on volcanic ash layers from eruptions of Katla volcano, all individuals buried here died before 1300 CE, when the site was completely covered.</li>
</ul>



<p>And more!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-more">Learn more</h2>



<p>Want to see if you share a genetic connection with these newly added Viking Age individuals—or hundreds of other historical people? The <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Matches</a><sup>SM</sup> feature is available to <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ members.</p>



<p></p>


New Historical Matches Could Connect You to Europe’s Viking Age


<p>This July, in honor of French-American Heritage Month, we’re adding four new individuals from early medieval France to our <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Matches</a><sup>SM</sup> feature.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-the-demography-of-northern-france">Studying the Demography of Northern France</h2>



<p>In a <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-51087-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2024 study published in Nature Communications</a>, researchers sequenced the genomes of 3,234 present-day individuals from across northern France to explore the region’s population history. As part of this study, they also analyzed the DNA of six historical individuals who lived between the 4th and 11th centuries CE, recovered from archaeological sites in the Pays de la Loire region of northwestern France—four of whom had DNA of high enough quality to be added to the Historical Matches feature.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-northwestern-france-in-the-early-medieval-period">Northwestern France in the Early Medieval Period</h2>



<p>The period between the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5<sup>th</sup> century and the rise of the Carolingian Empire in the 9<sup>th</sup> century was one of major cultural and demographic transformations in northwestern France. While few written records survive, archaeological and linguistic evidence points to a region shaped by interactions with British, Irish, and Germanic populations. This study offers new genetic insights into this transitional period in history.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/medieval_france-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34036" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/medieval_france-1024x576.png 1024w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/07/medieval_france-300x169.png 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/07/medieval_france-768x432.png 768w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/07/medieval_france-880x495.png 880w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/07/medieval_france-1180x664.png 1180w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/07/medieval_france.png 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dna-reveals-migration-across-europe-and-beyond">DNA Reveals Migration Across Europe—and Beyond</h2>



<p>By studying the genomes of present-day and historical individuals, the research team uncovered strong genetic links between the people of northern France and of Great Britain and Ireland, supporting the idea that migration—not just trade or cultural exchange—connected these regions during the early Middle Ages.</p>



<p>The study also revealed regional differences in ancestry across northern France. For instance, people living north of the Loire River had more ancestry linked to Bronze Age populations from the Eurasian Steppe, introduced to western Europe around 2500 BCE with the spread of the Bell Beaker culture. In contrast, those south of the river retained more ancestry from earlier Neolithic farming populations.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While most of the historical individuals whose genomes were sequenced in this study were genetically similar to modern northern French populations, the research team was surprised to discover that one individual had recent North African ancestry. This finding highlights the fact that long-distance mobility and migration played a role in shaping the demography of northern France, even during the Medieval Period.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-more">Learn More</h2>



<p>Want to see if you share a genetic connection with any of these newly added individuals from early medieval France—or to hundreds of other historical individuals? The Historical Matches feature is available to <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ members.</p>



<p></p>


New Historical Matches Could Connect You to Early Medieval France


<p>This month, we’re expanding our <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Matches</a><sup>SM</sup> feature to include a 2024 study that reminds us that, throughout human history, <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/how-was-your-sex-determined-it-might-be-a-lot-more-complicated-than-you-think" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biological sex</a> has been more complex than a simple XX or XY binary.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-variation-in-chromosome-number-in-humans">Variation in chromosome number in humans</h2>



<p>Most humans have a total of 46 (or 23 pairs) of chromosomes, but around 0.3% of people have a different number. This difference, known as aneuploidy, involves having extra or missing copies of one or more chromosomes. The most common forms of aneuploidy involve the sex chromosomes (X and Y). Some of these—including XXY (often associated with Klinefelter syndrome), XYY, and X (commonly linked to Turner syndrome)—are part of what is recognized today as intersex variation.*</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-ancient-dna-studies-failed-to-account-for-sex-chromosome-number-variation">Early ancient DNA studies failed to account for sex chromosome number variation</h2>



<p>In the early days of ancient DNA research, scientists typically assumed that all individuals had either two X chromosomes (XX) or one X and one Y chromosome (XY). These assumptions were built into standard methods for estimating genetic sex, which relied on the expected ratio of DNA sequences from the X and Y chromosomes. Any deviation from these expected patterns was often interpreted as contamination from modern DNA—such as from an archaeologist or lab technician who had handled the remains.</p>



<p>As a result, individuals with one X chromosome (Turner syndrome), three X chromosomes (Triple X syndrome), or an extra Y chromosome (XYY syndrome) could appear genetically indistinguishable from those with more common XX or XY patterns. Others—such as individuals with XXY chromosomes—might have been misclassified as contaminated.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="869" height="649" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Human_chromosomesXXY.png" alt="" class="wp-image-33997" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Human_chromosomesXXY.png 869w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Human_chromosomesXXY-300x224.png 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Human_chromosomesXXY-768x574.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 869px) 100vw, 869px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-updating-the-historical-record">Updating the historical record</h2>



<p>To address this limitation, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38212558/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a team of researchers in 2024</a> developed a new approach for estimating sex chromosome number in ancient individuals. Their method accounts for a wider range of possible sex chromosome combinations and makes it easier to distinguish genuine variation from contamination.</p>



<p>Using this new approach, the researchers identified five individuals from ancient Britain with sex chromosome aneuploidies. These included:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Three individuals (from the Iron Age through the post-Medieval period) with XXY chromosomes</li>



<li>One Early Medieval individual with XYY chromosomes</li>



<li>One Iron Age individual with a mosaic form of Turner syndrome, meaning they had only one X chromosome in some cells and two in others</li>
</ul>



<p>The researchers also applied their approach to non-sex chromosomes and identified a newborn from Early Medieval Britain with a trisomy of chromosome 21, consistent with Down syndrome.</p>



<p>Although the study examined only a subset of ancient individuals whose genomes have been sequenced, the discovery of multiple people with chromosomal aneuploidies highlights that this kind of biological variation has long been part of human history. It also underscores the importance of using inclusive analytical methods—rather than assuming that everyone fits neatly into an XX or XY binary.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-more">Learn more</h2>



<p>Want to see if you share a genetic connection with any of these newly added individuals**—or to hundreds of other historical individuals? The Historical Matches? feature is available to <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ members.</p>



<p><em>*Not everyone with a sex chromosome variation identifies as intersex. The term “intersex” is used here in the broad biological sense, to acknowledge that some sex chromosome aneuploidies fall under this umbrella in contemporary discussions of human diversity.</em></p>



<p>**<em>Receiving a match to a historical individual who has a sex chromosome aneuploidy does not indicate anything about the number of sex chromosomes that you carry.</em></p>


New Historical Matches Highlight the Importance of Thinking Beyond an XX or XY Binary When Studying the Past


<p>In honor of World Redhead Day on May 26th, we are celebrating one of the most famous redheads in history: <strong>Erik the Red</strong>.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="339" height="480" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Eric_the_Red.png" alt="" class="wp-image-33944" style="width:314px;height:auto" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Eric_the_Red.png 339w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Eric_the_Red-212x300.png 212w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 339px) 100vw, 339px" /></figure>



<p>Born in Norway around 950 CE, Erik Thorvaldsson is best known as the Viking explorer who founded the first Norse settlements in Greenland. His distinctive red hair and strong-willed, fiery personality earned him the nickname &#8220;Erik the Red.&#8221;</p>



<p>Shortly after his birth, Erik’s family moved to Iceland after his father, Thorvald Asvaldsson, was banished from Norway for committing manslaughter. In 982 CE, Erik himself was exiled from Iceland for three years for similar reasons, prompting his expedition along Greenland’s coast, where he established several key Norse settlements, including Brattahlid, where he is said to have spent his later years.</p>



<p>Before leaving Iceland, Erik the Red married Thjodhild Jörundsdóttir, with whom he had several children, including the famed explorer Leif Erikson. Once in Greenland, Thjodhild converted to Christianity, a decision said to have caused tension in her marriage to Erik, who, according to the Icelandic sagas and Norse history, never adopted the faith.</p>



<p>Thjodhild is credited with building one of the first Christian churches in the Americas at the family’s farmstead in Brattahlid. In 2020, as part of a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32939067/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">massive study of the Viking world</a>, researchers sequenced the genomes of Viking Age individuals who were buried in a mass grave in the church’s cemetery. While the exact location of Erik the Red&#8217;s grave remains unknown, it is possible that he was among those buried there.</p>



<p>In honor of Erik the Red and World Redhead Day, we have added four new individuals from Brattahlid to our <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Matches</a><sup>SM</sup> feature. If you are a 23andMe+ Premium™ member, you can check it out to learn more about this ancient site and find out if you are distantly related to them or hundreds of other historical individuals.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="690" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Red_Hair_Against_A_Blue_Sky-1024x690.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-33945" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Red_Hair_Against_A_Blue_Sky-1024x690.jpg 1024w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Red_Hair_Against_A_Blue_Sky-300x202.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Red_Hair_Against_A_Blue_Sky-768x517.jpg 768w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Red_Hair_Against_A_Blue_Sky-880x593.jpg 880w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Red_Hair_Against_A_Blue_Sky-1180x795.jpg 1180w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Red_Hair_Against_A_Blue_Sky.jpg 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p></p>


New Historical Matches Could Connect You to Erik The Red’s Home


<p>Did you know it’s been just over a year since we launched our <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches">Historical Matches</a><sup>SM</sup> feature? This feature, available to 23andMe+ Premium™ members, compares your DNA to hundreds of ancient and historical individuals from around the world. By searching for identical segments of DNA, it can reveal genetic evidence that you share a common ancestor with that historical individual.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-back-a-year-of-discoveries">Looking Back: A Year of Discoveries</h2>



<p>Over the past year, we’ve regularly updated Historical Matches to add new individuals from across the globe and throughout history—from <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-historical-matches-could-connect-you-to-the-medieval-avars" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ancient Romans</a> and <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-historical-matches-could-connect-you-to-the-medieval-avars">Medieval Avars</a> to <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/historical-matches-ancient-irish-elite" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neolithic Ireland</a> and <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-historical-matches-colonial-era-mexico" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colonial</a> <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/historical-matches-african-american-us-mexico" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mexico</a>.</p>



<p>We’ve also added individuals featured in recent ancient DNA studies that made headlines, including a powerful matrilineal lineage from <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-historical-matches-and-genetic-groups-could-connect-you-to-the-ancient-maya-civilization" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Iron Age Britain</a> and young boys who were ritually sacrificed during the <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-historical-matches-and-genetic-groups-could-connect-you-to-the-ancient-maya-civilization">Maya Civilization</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>We even added few historical figures whose names you might recognize, including:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eQAx5ImnX8&amp;t=2s" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ludwig van Beethoven</a> – The famed composer</li>



<li><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/do-you-know-about-king-bela-iii" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">King Béla III</a> – King of Hungary and Croatia (1172–1196)</li>



<li><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/historical-matches-added-gleb-svyatoslavich-and-izjaslav-ingvarevych" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Princes Gleb and Izjaslav</a> – Rulers from Medieval Kievan Rus’</li>



<li><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/are-you-related-to-otzi-the-iceman" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ötzi the Iceman</a> – A 5,000-year-old natural mummy found in the Alps</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-aren-t-more-historical-named-individuals-included">Why Aren’t More Historical Named Individuals Included?</h2>



<p>You might be wondering: <em>If we can include Beethoven, why not Mozart or Bach?</em></p>



<p>The answer comes down to one key factor: their genetic data. To include someone in the Historical Matches feature, we need access to high-quality, genome-wide DNA data. Unfortunately, very few named historical individuals meet this bar—either because their remains haven’t been sequenced, or the resulting data doesn’t cover enough of their genome.</p>



<p>Take <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25463651/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Richard III</a>, for example. Although researchers sequenced his mitochondrial DNA and parts of his Y-chromosome in 2012, this only covers a small portion of his total DNA. His complete genome hasn’t yet been sequenced, so we can’t include him.</p>



<p>Similarly, you might have heard claims last year that DNA was extracted from Christopher Columbus—and that he had Sephardic Jewish ancestry. However these claims remain unconfirmed in the scientific community and the data hasn’t been made publicly available for independent review or for further analysis.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-to-celebrate-our-first-year-we-re-adding-more-named-individuals">To Celebrate Our First Year, We’re Adding More Named Individuals</h2>



<p>But good news—some named historical individuals do have sequenced genomes and we’re adding as many of them as we can to the Historical Matches feature as part of our one-year anniversary celebration.</p>



<p>They may not all be household names like Beethoven, but each one tells a fascinating story. And who knows—you might discover a connection you never expected.</p>



<p>Here’s a sneak peek at who we’re adding:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-george-bahr-the-architect-behind-dresden-s-frauenkirche">George Bähr: The Architect Behind Dresden’s Frauenkirche</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/george-bahr-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-33864" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/george-bahr-1024x576.png 1024w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/04/george-bahr-300x169.png 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/04/george-bahr-768x432.png 768w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/04/george-bahr-880x495.png 880w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/04/george-bahr-1180x664.png 1180w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/04/george-bahr.png 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29391530/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">George Bähr</a> (1666–1738) was a celebrated German architect, best known for designing the iconic Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) in Dresden. Commissioned in 1722, construction began in 1726, but Bähr died in 1738—five years before it was completed.</p>



<p>His remains were later reburied in the church’s crypt, which was destroyed during WWII and painstakingly rebuilt decades later. During the reconstruction, researchers recovered some of Bähr’s skeletal remains and extracted DNA to explore both his ancestry and physical traits.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bishop-peder-winstrup-and-his-mysterious-burial-companion">Bishop Peder Winstrup—and his Mysterious Burial Companion</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/peder-winstrup-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-33866" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/peder-winstrup-1024x576.png 1024w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/04/peder-winstrup-300x169.png 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/04/peder-winstrup-768x432.png 768w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/04/peder-winstrup-880x495.png 880w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/04/peder-winstrup-1180x664.png 1180w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/04/peder-winstrup.png 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.102939" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bishop Peder Winstrup</a> (1605–1679) was a prominent scholar and founding figure of Lund University in what is now southern Sweden. After his death, he was buried beneath Lund Cathedral—only to become the center of an unexpected mystery.</p>



<p>When researchers examined his well-preserved remains in 2012, they discovered a surprise: the body of a small male fetus, approximately 5–6 months old, placed beneath him. Was this just a practical burial arrangement? Or was there a familial connection?</p>



<p>In 2021, researchers sequenced the genomes of both individuals and concluded the fetus was likely the bishop’s grandson—a remarkable story of DNA unlocking hidden family ties.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hungarian-royalty-hunyadi-aba-and-bathory-lineages">Hungarian Royalty: Hunyadi, Aba, and Báthory Lineages</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="701" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GettyImages-1191939343-1024x701.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-33867" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GettyImages-1191939343-1024x701.jpg 1024w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GettyImages-1191939343-300x206.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GettyImages-1191939343-768x526.jpg 768w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GettyImages-1191939343-880x603.jpg 880w, /wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GettyImages-1191939343-1180x808.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>We added King Béla III to Historical Matches in April 2024. But he’s far from the only Hungarian noble with sequenced DNA. Researchers have published genomes of members of several other powerful Hungarian lineages, including <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36425424/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Johannes and Christophorus Corvinus</a>, descendants of Matthias Hunyadi, who ruled Hungary from 1458–1490. Researchers have also sequenced the genomes of individuals who were buried in the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39474080/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aba</a> and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37810237/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Báthory</a> family burial places. While their exact identities are still unknown, the burial location suggests that they were likely members of these prominent aristocratic families.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discover-your-connection">Discover Your Connection</h2>



<p>Want to see if you&#8217;re genetically connected to any of these new additions—or to hundreds of other historical individuals? The Historical Matches<sup>SM</sup> feature is available to 23andMe+ Premium™ members.</p>



<p></p>


Historical Matches