A groundbreaking DNA analysis method is set to challenge our understanding of Britain’s early history, from the end of Roman rule through to the Anglo-Saxon and Viking eras, according to researchers.
Previously, DNA analysis was adept at tracking significant genetic changes over millennia, helping trace human evolution from our primate ancestors. Now, a new approach allows scientists to detect more nuanced genetic shifts over just centuries, offering insights into migration patterns and local interactions. This innovative technique, dubbed “Twigstats,” is being applied by scientists at King’s College London, in collaboration with the Francis Crick Institute in London, to examine over 1,000 ancient human remains from Britain spanning the last 4,500 years. The focus is particularly on the post-Roman period, a time shrouded in mystery regarding the nature and scale of Anglo-Saxon influence.
Professor Peter Heather of King’s College describes this research as potentially “revolutionary,” highlighting how it could clarify the dynamics between invaders and native Britons – whether there was cooperation, interbreeding, or social mobility. The method has already proven effective on samples from mainland Europe, where it corroborated historical accounts of Viking migrations. The findings, published in the journal Nature, not only validated the technique but also hinted at its potential to reveal discrepancies in historical narratives.
Dr. Leo Speidel, one of the developers of Twigstats, expressed excitement about the method’s capability to “really change how much we can find out about human history.” The technique addresses the challenge of pinpointing minute genetic changes amidst the vast human genome, likened to finding a needle in a haystack, by focusing only on the most recent genetic alterations.
Dr. Pontus Skoglund, another key researcher, views this as an opportunity to listen to the “stories” of the ancient individuals through their DNA. The project aims to explore various historical epochs, examining how events like epidemics, changes in diet, urbanization, and industrialization influenced genetic diversity in Britain.
The implications of this research extend beyond Britain. Professor Heather is eager to apply Twigstats to resolve other historical enigmas, such as the linguistic shift from Germanic to Slavic languages in central and eastern Europe around 1,500 years ago, where historical records are notably sparse. This new DNA analysis method could thus not only rewrite British history but also reshape our understanding of human migration, cultural integration, and genetic evolution across Europe.
