DNA Reveals Origins of Middle Ages Man in Spanish Stone Age Monument

Researchers have utilized advanced DNA analysis to uncover the genetic ancestry of two men buried in a prehistoric monument in Spain, demonstrating that the site maintained symbolic significance thousands of years after its original construction.

The remains were found at the Dolmen de Menga, a large megalithic monument located near Malaga. While the site was built during the Neolithic period in the fourth millennium B.C., the two adult males were buried there during the Middle Ages.

Genetic Findings and Ancestry

The genetic analysis of the degraded human remains provided insight into the historic lineage of the individuals. One of the men possessed genetic links not only to European populations but also to people from North Africa and the Middle East.

The analysis was so precise that researchers identified connections to two individuals who are still alive today.

Archaeological and Ritual Context

The two men were approximately 45 years old at the time of their deaths. Radiocarbon dating indicates they were buried between the eighth and 11th centuries C.E., with their deaths occurring roughly 100 years apart.

Both individuals were found in the atrium near the entrance of the monument. They were buried facedown and aligned with the axis of symmetry within the megalith.

According to a study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, this positioning corresponds with Islamic traditions of the period. However, the alignment of these bodies did not match other Islamic burials found in the surrounding area.

The fact that both were buried aligned with the axis of a megalithic monument, at a site of notable prominence in the landscape of Antequera, about two centuries apart, highlights the continuity of Menga as a symbolic place for more than 5,000 years—and possibly even longer—well beyond the Neolithic period

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

Significance of the Site

The Dolmen de Menga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The discovery of these medieval burials suggests a phenomenon of reusing prehistoric monuments in Iberia during the Middle Ages.

The decision to align the burials with the monument’s axis rather than standard regional burial patterns indicates that the ancient location held specific value or ritualistic meaning for the people of the Middle Ages.

Remaining Mysteries

Despite the success of the DNA analysis in revealing ancestral roots, some aspects of the burials remain unresolved. While the burial position aligns with certain traditions, the specific religious beliefs practiced by the men remain a mystery.