"Source describes them as beautiful": What people living in Rostov looked like in the first millennium AD.

Researchers from the Don region analyzed the DNA of ancient human remains found in the Rostov region, dating back to the first millennium AD. They were able to reconstruct some features of their appearance. However, there is still insufficient data to create a complete portrait.

What is currently known about the appearance of ancient people was shared with "KP - Rostov-on-Don" by Olga Aramova, Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, Senior Lecturer at the Genetics Department of Southern Federal University.

The remains of individuals were discovered in Rostov on Stanislavsky Street.

Photo: Irina LENEVSKAYA. Go to the KP Photo Bank

FOR THE STUDY - BONES

— We examined the remains of the ancient population of southern Russia from the first millennium AD, presented to us by archaeologists. All were found in the Rostov region and the city of Rostov-on-Don, including on Socialist Street.

Since this period falls within the first millennium AD, scientists investigated several groups that lived in the Don region at that time. Primarily, these were the Sarmatians and Meotians, who inhabited the same territory during the first to third centuries AD.

— They were entirely different, yet they coexisted in the same area at the same time.

The specialists also studied the remains of the Khazars, who populated the area during the early Middle Ages. At that time, the Rostov region was part of the Khazar Khaganate, which eventually ceased to exist.

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Many of the ancient remains still contained DNA from those who handled them. This previously hindered objective research. Photo provided by Olga Aramova.

DISTINGUISHING ANCIENT DNA FROM MODERN DNA

For the study, the remains were not in the best condition, having been buried for centuries. The DNA either did not survive at all or had significantly degraded. In contrast, the DNA from modern individuals who worked with the remains was abundant.

Advanced research methods were necessary for such objects, noted Olga Aramova. That’s why specialists employed their unique technology.

— The issue is that for many years, scientists faced a problem not only in Russia but worldwide when geneticists received biological material. Often, it was contaminated with other biological materials from people who handled the bones beforehand. For instance, a specialist might have touched a bone without gloves. Since the DNA of modern humans is more active than that of their ancestors, it would dominate in subsequent reactions, leading to inaccurate results.

The Rostov researchers developed and patented their method to extract pure DNA from bones and teeth.

— Our approach allowed us to chemically wash the ancient bone, removing the modern DNA, thus obtaining the true genetic profile of the ancient individual.

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Two Meotian horsemen with typical Europoid skull types are depicted on a rhyton (drinking horn). Photo provided by Olga Aramova.

THE KHAZARS HAD NO WRITING SYSTEM

The study included remains discovered during excavations prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Stanislavsky Street in Rostov. At that time, the tram network was being reconstructed, and archaeological work was conducted beforehand.

— Meotians were found there. Their burials were also discovered at the Nizhnegniyloff settlement. They led a sedentary lifestyle, engaging in agriculture and fishing. Near Socialist Street, remains of Sarmatians were discovered. However, the Khazar mounds were scattered across our region.

Specialists conducted what is known as DNA phenotyping. Before this, very little was known about the Khazars, as they had no written language.

— There were fragmented data regarding the appearance of the Khazars. We imagine them as individuals of Mongoloid race. There are a couple of sources: one features a sketch of a Khazar, while the other is a written account from contemporaries stating that they were diverse. Some were dark-skinned, resembling Turks, while others were fair-skinned. One source described them as "beautiful."

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A vessel from the Kotsky settlement depicts a Khazar with the characteristic slanted eyes typical of Asians. Photo provided by Olga Aramova.

BURIALS OF ELITE WARRIORS

Researchers also examined elite Khazar warriors who were buried with heraldic sets. This is how they were identified. Horses were also buried with them.

It was found that the vast majority of them had dark skin, dark eyes, and dark hair. Their haplogroups (a group of genetic variants sharing a common ancestor - Ed.) also indicated predominantly Asian ancestry.

— Unfortunately, not all skulls were preserved. However, among those that were, 70% exhibited Mongoloid features. The others were individuals with light hair and eyes who had a lighter skin tone. In some cases, individuals with light eyes and hair shared the same haplogroup as those with dark eyes, dark hair, and dark skin. Thus, we have experimentally confirmed historians' assumptions on this matter.

PART SIMILAR TO EUROPEANS, PART TO CAUCASIANS

The Meotians were a sedentary population of the Lower Don and Kuban regions. Scientists are unaware of their writing system or culture. There is only one drawing of a Meotian on a drinking horn.

Based on historical sources, they are more representative of the Europoid race, with some Iranian ancestry. The study revealed that some were typical Europeans, while others were encountered only in the Caucasus.

Among the haplogroups of Meotians, scientists also found similarities with Sarmatians. This indicates that the two ethnic groups intermingled.

Currently, very little is known about the Sarmatians - almost all were of Asian appearance and led a nomadic lifestyle.

— Despite their genetic diversity, they had dark skin, dark eyes, and dark hair. Unfortunately, their skulls have not been preserved, making it challenging to create a detailed reconstruction of their appearance.

By the way, quite recently, the remains of ancient Slavs, who were cremated, were submitted for research.

— They had a completely different burial rite back then. They were burned, and the remains were placed in clay pots. We are just beginning our research on them.