DNA Secrets: Scientists uncover the origins of a mysterious Italian population.

A recent study has unveiled details about the genetic origins of the Piceni, an ancient civilization from pre-Roman Italy. This collaborative research, conducted by the University of Rome La Sapienza and the Italian National Research Council (CNR), provides new insights into the genetic makeup of the Piceni and their role in the history of the Italian peninsula, writes Arkeonews.

Through the analysis of DNA from over 100 skeletal remains found in necropolises across central Italy, the study spans more than a millennium—from the Iron Age to late antiquity.

The findings revealed clear genetic differences between communities along the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian coasts, shedding light on how the Roman Empire influenced the genetic and phenotypic diversity of populations in this region.

The Piceni inhabited the territory between the Fulgia and Aterno rivers from the 9th to the 3rd centuries BC. Their land, known as Picenum, encompassed present-day Marche and northern Abruzzo, bordered by the Adriatic Sea to the east and the Apennine Mountains to the west. Most knowledge about this civilization comes from archaeological finds discovered in necropolises, settlement ruins, and votive artifacts.

Massimo Pallottino, a renowned researcher of pre-Roman Italy, described the Piceni as a "phantom" of historical research due to the elusive nature of their cultural and genetic history. However, this interdisciplinary study, combining archaeological and genetic research, has clarified their origins, interactions, and evolution.

Researchers found that the Piceni were genetically distinct from their Tyrrhenian neighbors, shaped by unique cultural and geographical influences.

One of the key discoveries is the phenotypic diversity among the Piceni. Compared to neighboring groups such as the Etruscans and Latins, the Piceni exhibited a higher prevalence of blue eyes and light hair, attributed to genetic interactions with Northern European and Near Eastern populations. This diversity reflects the Piceni's connections with migrating peoples and traders, showcasing their role as a cultural and genetic crossroads.

Professor of Human Genetics at La Sapienza and co-author of the study, Beniamino Trombetta, noted that the study's results reframe the history of Italy. The research indicates that a cosmopolitan society began to emerge as early as the Iron Age, culminating in the multiculturalism of the Roman Empire. These findings provide a deeper understanding of how migration and trade shaped the broad genetic heritage of ancient Italy.

We also reported on the mysteries of Linear A. Linguists have been trying for decades to decipher this language of the ancient Mycenaeans.