AI interpretationAI-generated
古DNA揭示1348年塔雷加大屠杀犹太受害者的遗传面貌。
This study analyzed ancient DNA from 16 individuals buried in a medieval mass grave in Tàrrega, Catalonia, linked to the 1348 pogrom. Using ancient DNA capture, researchers found that these individuals genetically resemble ancient and modern Jewish populations. Their ancestry is modeled as a mix of Canaanite (69%) and local Iberian non-Jewish (31%) sources. Uniparental markers show high diversity typical of Jewish communities, with no close kinship but some background endogamy. This confirms the burials as victims of the pogrom and provides the first genomic data for medieval Iberian Jews.
- The Roquetes individuals show genetic affinities with ancient and modern Jewish populations.
- Their ancestry is best modeled as 69% Canaanite and 31% Iberian non-Jewish non-Islamic medieval.
- Uniparental markers are highly diverse, matching typical Jewish community patterns, with no close kinship but background endogamy.
Sample interpretation
The site_samples count is 12, but the study analyzed 16 individuals; the discrepancy may be due to different inclusion criteria. Y-chromosome haplogroups resolved for 4 individuals include G-PH1944, E-Y192816, J-FTC5926, and E-FT424100, each represented once. Mitochondrial DNA haplogroups show H1bo and L2a1c-G16129A! each with 2 individuals, plus N/A, H20a1a, R0a4, and M1a1b1c each with 1. These markers reflect high diversity, consistent with Jewish populations.
For genealogy enthusiasts
For ancestry enthusiasts, this study provides the first direct genetic evidence of medieval Iberian Jews, confirming their distinct ancestry and tragic history. It highlights the value of ancient DNA in verifying historical events and understanding Jewish diaspora genetics.
Abstract
The Black Death pandemic, combined with the antisemitic climate of 14th-century Europe, led to widespread violence against Jewish communities, including numerous pogroms such as the one in 1348 in Tàrrega (Catalonia, Spain). In the Roquetes necropolis of Tàrrega, six communal graves containing at least sixty-nine individuals, with signs of violence, were dated to the mid-14th century. Based on the hypothesis that Iberian medieval Jewish communities preserve genetic similarities to other ancient and modern Jewish communities, our study aims to provide genomic information on medieval Iberian communities, which to date have been unknown. Methods. We analyzed DNA from sixteen individuals from the Roquetes necropolis using Twist ancient DNA enrichment capture. Several paleogenomic analyses based on nuclear DNA and uniparental markers were conducted to determine their genetic relatedness and population origin. Results. PCA and ADMIXTURE analyses revealed genetic affinities with ancient and modern Jewish populations. Uniparental markers, which exhibited high diversity, aligned with typical patterns within the Jewish community. The qpAdm modeling suggested that the genetic composition of the Roquetes population can be explained by a mixture of Canaan individuals (0.69) and the Iberian non-Jewish non-Islamic medieval population (0.31). No close genetic kinship was detected, but RHO analyses indicated a certain level of background endogamy. Conclusions. This is the first study to report genomic data for medieval Iberian Jews. Our findings reveal genomic affinities of the Roquetes individuals with ancient and modern Jewish populations and corroborate the previous attribution of the burials to victims of the 1348 Tàrrega pogrom.