Archaeologists perplexed to find West African ancestry in early medieval England
Mystery surrounds ancient remains discovered in English villages
- DNA analysis of skeletons from two 7th-century cemeteries in Kent and Dorset, England, revealed individuals with West African ancestry.
- This discovery challenges the traditional understanding of early medieval migration to England, which primarily focused on movements from continental northern Europe.
- Two individuals, one at each site, showed genetic affinity to present-day sub-Saharan West African groups like Yoruba and Mende, with further analysis suggesting one paternal grandparent was of West African descent.
- The presence of grave goods and burial alongside community members indicates these individuals were integrated and valued within their local societies.
- The findings suggest a more diverse and cosmopolitan population in early medieval England than previously thought, prompting further questions about long-distance movement and demographic interaction.