DNA analysis makes an incredible discovery in a medieval cemetery

Workers who worked on the construction of a highway in a small Irish town, in 2003, found an old man Medieval cemetery🇧🇷 The discovery happened by chance near the town of Palihana and piqued the interest of scientists.

Of the 1,300 remains found, two have drawn attention because they bore signs of disease. Genetics🇧🇷 The bones had benign tumors that caused deformation of the body, posture and nerves.

This brought the case to the attention of the researchers, as they both showed signs of the genetic condition: multiple osteochondrosis, a disease that affects 1 in 50,000 people.

Shortly after the discovery, the scientists’ logical conclusion was that the remains must have belonged to people from the same family.

However, after a detailed analysis of DNAit became clear that the corpses were not only single, but also of people who lived at different times.

Archaeologist Elaine Murphy says:

“We made many assumptions about these two men when we first realized they had too much cartilaginous bone.

We assumed they were contemporaries, but radiocarbon dating showed they were hundreds of years apart.

We also assumed they were related, but the new analysis shows that this is not the case.”

In addition to these factors, which made the discovery something truly unique, recent studies suggest that the disease did not have the same type of genetic mutation as its cause.

the cemetery

Apparently, the small cemetery must have been the final resting place for many people suffering from diseases such as rickets and tuberculosis.

still according to ArchaeologistsThe site is believed to have been part of a poor Gaelic community, consisting of labourers, artisans, farmers, merchants and clergy.

This discovery demonstrates the invaluable contribution that most modern DNA analyzes make to historical events.

This is because it allows researchers to understand how conditions that have existed since ancient times can affect humans today.