It’s one of the many stories told by observers of the victims of the tragedy that struck the ancient town. But DNA evidence recently published in Current Biology suggests things were not as they seem.

Scientists conducted a DNA analysis of the remains of Pompeii residents who died during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. The results provided groundbreaking insights into their origins and familial relationships.

Analysis of ancient DNA from the ashen casts of Pompeii victims changes presumed relationships between them, and reveals the port city's socioeconomic and geographic diversity.