DNA Study Sheds Light on Colonial Maryland Burials and Social Dynamics
Updated
Updated · Livescience.com · May 16
DNA Study Sheds Light on Colonial Maryland Burials and Social Dynamics
1 articles · Updated · Livescience.com · May 16
Researchers analyzed DNA from 49 skeletons buried between 1634 and 1730 at Maryland's St. Mary's City Brick Chapel.
An 8-year-old boy of African ancestry was found buried with colonists, raising questions about his status and treatment.
The study reveals complex social dynamics and migration patterns, highlighting gaps and surprises in the historical record.
From 17th-Century Coffins to 1.3 Million Descendants: The Groundbreaking DNA Study Rewriting Colonial Maryland’s History
Overview
A groundbreaking DNA study, set to be published in 2026 by the journal Current Biology, brings together researchers from the Smithsonian Institution, Harvard University, and the 23andMe Research Institute. This ambitious project, described as 'decades in the making' by Douglas Owsley, began with the excavation of three rare lead coffins from the Brick Chapel in St. Mary's City, Maryland. The collaboration has led to unprecedented insights into early colonial life, redefining our understanding of the social fabric, family connections, and migration patterns that shaped one of America's founding settlements.