Londoners were just as cosmopolitan and diverse 2,000 years ago as they are today
Researchers from the Museum of London, University of Durham, and McMaster University, used DNA analysis and other skeletal evidence to reveal—in remarkable detail—the earliest inhabitants what would become London, founded by the Romans around 50 AD.
They found that none of the four individuals were born in London: two had probably originated from outside Europe, another was thought to be from continental Europe, and only one is likely to be a native Brit.
Researchers speculate that one male may have been a gladiator, from his violent death and the fact that his skull was found near London’s amphitheatre. His DNA shows that he had black hair and brown eyes. His skull has features that suggest a European ancestry, with DNA analysis showing his family originated from somewhere in Eastern Europe.
The Harper Road woman is is even more fascinating—thought to originate from Northern Europe, a teeth analysis indicates that she was likely born in Britain. But while her skeleton showed female characteristics, her chromosomes were found to be male. Issues that we’re still grappling with today.