Medieval genomes from eastern Iberia illuminate the role of Morisco mass deportations in dismantling a long-standing genetic bridge with North Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Islamic influence on the Iberian Peninsula left an enduring cultural and linguistic legacy. However, the demographic impact is less well understood. This study aims to explore the dynamics of gene flow and population structure in eastern Iberia from the early to late medieval period through ancient DNA.

Results

Our comprehensive genomic analysis uncovers gene flow from various Mediterranean regions into Iberia before the Islamic period, supporting a pre-existing pan-Mediterranean homogenization phenomenon during the Roman Empire. North African ancestry is present but sporadic in late antiquity genomes but becomes consolidated during the Islamic period. We uncover one of the earliest dated Islamic burials in Spain, which shows high levels of consanguinity. For

SUBMITTER: Oteo-Garcia G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12036142 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature