May 14, 2006

Romany blood in Anglo-Saxon England

Experts from Norfolk Archaeology Unit based at Norwich Castle have discovered a rare form of mitochondrial DNA identified as Romani in a skeleton discovered during excavations in a large area of Norwich for the expansion of the castle mall.

The DNA was found in an 11th century young adult male skeleton, and with the first recorded arrival of the Romani gene in this country put at 500 years later, historians may need to re-think the ethnic mix of the city's early population.

From the 24 Hour Museum. As the article notes towards the end, the Romany were in Byzantium by the 10th century, so it is quite possible that the Norwich skeleton is not so much indicative of a Romany presence in 11th-century Norwich as suggestive of mixed marriages in Constantinople among the Varangians and other northern mercenaries.

Posted by David on May 14, 2006 2:14 PM

Comments

It would be interesting for some of the present-day inhabitants of the area to contribute to the National Geographic genome project, which is tracking the movement of peoples through genetic studies. Some people might find they have unexpected roots.

Yes, given that the mitochondrial DNA passes from mothers, it might indeed indicate marriage (or mistress) from the far-off lands. Interesting.

Posted by: Sarah [TypeKey Profile Page] on May 14, 2006 7:58 PM

My gt grandparents were Romany living in norfolk. I am researching my family tree my gt grandfather was George Betts my gt grandmother was Hannah Curzon (the fair people) If you have any information on these names or how the romanies lived I would be most grateful. It was said that they lived in a gypsy caravan for a while untill they settled in Norwich.

Posted by: karen elyard on August 12, 2006 4:27 PM
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