Mesa Mani: a genetic “time capsule” of Europe

New genetic research showed that residents Mesa Mani represent a unique genetic “island” population of Europe. Scientists attribute this feature to the geographic isolation of the region, which lasted for more than ten centuries.

Briefly about the main thing

• Residents of Mesa Mani turned out to be one of the most genetically special populations in Europe.
• Many family lines of modern inhabitants of the region can be traced in the Greek world since Bronze Age, iron age And Roman period.
• Researchers believe that long-term isolation helped the Maniots preserve their unique traditions, architecture and genetic characteristics.
• Scientists emphasize: Greek identity is cultural, not genetic.

Findings of the study published in the journal Communications Biology groups Natureshow that many genealogical lines of the current inhabitants Mesa Mani present on the territory of Greece since ancient historical eras.

Mesa Mani is the area south of Areopoliswith rugged mountains, dramatic coastlines and famous stone towers. This region has repeatedly attracted travelers, historians and writers, among whom are especially famous Jules Verne And Patrick Leigh Fermor.

Severe character Maniots and their warlike spirit allowed them to maintain autonomy in the face of various conquerors for centuries. The Maniots also played a key role in Greek Revolution of 1821.

An international research team including scientists from Oxford University, Tel Aviv University, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Areopolis Health Center, European University of Cyprus and laboratories FamilyTreeDNAstudied the origins of the Mesa Mani population.

Research leader, Dr. Leonidas-Romanos Davranogluassistant professor Tel Aviv Universitypostdoctoral fellow Oxford University And National and Kapodistrian University of Athensexplained to the agency APE-MPEwhy this particular region was in the spotlight.

“This is an area of ​​mainland Greece the like of which does not exist. In terms of architecture, all the villages here have battle towers, the dialect has archaic features, and we did not know where the population with so many features came from. So we wanted to answer some historical mysteries and also give voice to traditions that are disappearing.” – noted the doctor Davranoglu.

The study shows that Mesa Mani residents form a unique genetic “island” population in Europe.

Temple of St. George of the 11th–12th centuries in the ancient settlement of Ano Pulas. The temple follows the megalithic building tradition of Mesa Mani, which is characterized by the use of exclusively large stone blocks laid without mortar. Copyright: Leonidas-Romanos Davranoglu.

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How the study was conducted

The researchers took genetic material from more than 100 menresidents Mesa Mani. The samples were then analyzed using the laboratory’s state-of-the-art molecular techniques FamilyTreeDNA – a company that, among other things, participated in the isolation of DNA Beethoven from hair and clarifying its origin.

Scientists then compared the DNA of Mesa Mani residents with thousands of ancient DNA samples and with data from more than 1.3 million modern people all over the world. The goal was to establish possible family connections of the Maniots with other populations.

The results showed that Mesa Mani is a unique genetic “time capsule” inside mainland Greece. Most of the patrilineal genealogical lines of the region’s inhabitants go back to Bronze Age, iron age And Roman period.

The genetic ancestry of the Mesa Mani people, according to the study, was largely unaffected by the major migrations that altered the demographics and genomes of the Greek world and other Balkan populations after the fall of Rome.

Unlike many other groups on the Greek mainland, the Mesa Mani people show minimal signs of assimilation of later populations, including Slavswhose appearance in the 6th century AD. e. significantly changed the genetic and linguistic landscape of Southeastern Europe.

According to the researchers, the geographical and temporal distribution of these lineages well reflects the spread of a characteristic and globally unique megalithic residential architecture of Mesa Mani.

“It has been determined that for at least 1,400 years, the people of Mesa Mani were extremely isolated. This is probably why they were able to develop and preserve customs, traditions and architecture that are found nowhere else in Greece. It can be said that the inhabitants of Mesa Mani probably descend from the same people who created the unique megalithic structures of the region.” – explains the doctor Davranoglu.

“Genetics does not separate us”

At the same time, the doctor Davranoglu emphasizes: DNA data cannot be turned into a tool for dividing people or measuring the “degree of Greekness.” This is where science is trying in advance to take away the toy from those who like to make a political cudgel out of genetics. And he does the right thing.

“DNA helps us clarify unknown aspects of the history of the Greek world, whatever that history may have been, and understand how various historical and demographic processes occurred. Of course, DNA tells us nothing about a person’s identity or how Greek someone is. Greekness is a cultural, not a genetic characteristic. After all, although the Maniots have been isolated for over 1,400 years, all people are mixtures of different populations. “Genetics brings us together, not divides us,” – he notes.

The scientist also recalls that numerous genetic studies show: the ancient Greeks mixed with different populations, and Roman And Byzantine Empire were extremely multi-ethnic.

After the 6th century AD e. most populations of the Greek world assimilated additional groups of people – Slavs, Vlachs, Arvanites and others. However, according to the researcher, these groups did not come into contact with the residents of Mesa Mani.

The study shows that Mesa Mani residents form a unique genetic “island” population in Europe.

Famous Maniot from Mesa Mani, sculptor, artist and writer Michalis Kassis, together with the leader of the study, Leonidas-Romanos Davranoglu. Copyright: Vina Tsopela.

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One common ancestor

One of the most striking findings of the study was that more 50% modern Mesa Mani men descend from a single male ancestor who lived in 7th century AD e.

This indicates a period when the local population experienced a sharp decline, likely due to epidemics, wars and general instability. After this, the few survivors and their descendants remained in relative isolation within Mesa Mani for centuries.

Maternal ancestry tells a more complex story than paternal ancestry. Second corresponding author of the study, Professor European University of Cyprus Alexandros Iraklidisnotes that many maternal lines show the same signs of long local continuity as paternal ones.

“While many maternal lineages show the same signs of long local continuity as paternal ones, others indicate limited contact with populations of the Eastern Mediterranean, the Caucasus, Western Europe and even North Africa. These genetic patterns are consistent with a strongly patriarchal society in which men remained rooted in their place of origin while a small number of foreign women were incorporated into the local population.” – says the professor Iraklidis.

“Fertile soil rarely gives birth to heroes”

In addition to genetic analysis, the research team examined Venetian, Ottoman and more recent archives, and also conducted interviews with at least 60 elderly residents from almost every village on Mesa Mani.

One of the important informants was the artist, writer and sculptor Michalis Kassis. He told the researchers:

“It is no coincidence that not a single conqueror was able to gain a foothold in Mani. This land was mercilessly difficult even for its inhabitants. In winter, our bare feet ached from the cold; in summer, the sun burned us mercilessly. Stones, sun, sea – that’s what Mani is. People have become the same: persistent and harsh in order to survive. And if someone had a little bread, a little cheese and a few olives, he was truly rich. Fluffy and fertile land rarely gives birth to heroes,” – recalled Cassis.

Because many Mesa Mani villages were historically inhabited by a single tribe, the researchers worked closely with the local community. This made it possible to attract volunteers from different clans and settlements and make the sample more representative.

Sample collection was carried out in collaboration with Dr. Anargyros Mariolisdirector Areopolis Health Center.

The researchers then compared the oral traditions with the genetic data and found that they often matched.

“Many oral traditions about common ancestry, passed down for centuries, are now being confirmed genetically,” – notes Athanasios Kofinakosco-author of the study and scientific consultant on Maniot genealogy and history.

The study shows that Mesa Mani residents form a unique genetic “island” population in Europe.

Dr. Anargyros Mariolis, director of the Areopolis Health Center and a member of the research team, built a strong relationship of trust with the local Mesa Mani community, which was essential to the success of the study. Copyright: A. Mariolis.

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As the doctor himself describes Anargyros Mariolisthis research gives voice to ancestral stories.

“This research gives voice to the stories of our ancestors. As a Mesa Mani man, I would like my ancestors to have the opportunity to know that many of their oral traditions are supported by genetic science.” – he says.

Search for genetic diseases

If funding is secured to continue the work, the research team intends to explore what information genetics can provide about population health and possible diseases with a genetic basis.

Professor of Medicine National and Kapodistrian University of Athenssurgeon Theodoros Mariolis-Sapsakosnotes:

“The research team intends to re-engage with the community to explore the extent to which future analysis of clinically relevant genetic markers could help better understand the health of Mesa Mani residents and lead to new strategies to protect and promote it,” – he says.

Doctor Panagiota Souliotiwho served as a rural medical service in Areopolis Health Center and contributed significantly to the collection of samples, adds that the Mesa Mani example can be used as a model for similar studies in other regions of Greece.

“The Mesa Mani example can be used as a model for similar studies in other regions of Greece, contributing both to the understanding of the past and to the identification of clinically relevant genetic markers with direct implications for public health,” – the doctor emphasizes Sulioti.

Thus, Mesa-Mani’s research works in two directions at once: it helps to better understand the history of the Greek world and at the same time can become the basis for future medical research. And this is a rare case when DNA is not used for cheap slogans, but is forced to do normal work: explain the past and, perhaps, help the living.

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