After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Europe did not immediately descend into chaos and endless “barbarian invasions,” as was long believed.

A new large-scale study of ancient DNA shows a much more complex picture: a gradual mixing of peoples, the formation of new family traditions, and, possibly, even an increase in life expectancy took place within the former Roman borders.

Scientists analyzed the remains of 258 people buried in what is now southern Germany between the 4th and 7th centuries AD. The results of the study were published in the journal Nature.

Archaeologists studied DNA, bone condition, and the isotopic composition of teeth, which enables to determine where a person grew up. The results were then compared with more than 2,500 ancient and hundreds of modern genomes.

The analysis showed that even before the final collapse of the Western Roman Empire in 476, small groups of people of northern European origin gradually moved into the region. However, they lived separately from the local Roman population for a long time. After the disappearance of Roman state structures, barriers began to break down, and active mixing between groups began to occur.

The researchers emphasize that the data do not support the old idea of a sudden invasion of huge “barbarian hordes.” Rather, it is about the slow integration of different communities.

The scientists were particularly interested in family relationships. Genetic links between the buried people indicate that the society was dominated by lifelong monogamy.

The researchers found almost no signs of polygamy, marriages between close relatives, or remarriage within the deceased husband's family.

According to the authors of this study, these norms were greatly influenced by the spread of Christianity in the region.

DNA also made it possible to reconstruct the daily life of early medieval families. Almost a quarter of children lost at least one parent by the age of ten, which is why researchers figuratively call them “half-orphans.” At the same time, most children still grew up with at least one living grandparent. The average generation span was about 28 years.

The conclusion about life expectancy was also surprising. According to the study, men lived an average of about 43 years, and women—almost 40 years. Some historians believe that this may even be higher than the indicators of the late Roman period. Scientists suggest that after the fall of the empire, large-scale wars and mass violence decreased, and smaller rural communities may have faced the epidemics that were characteristic of large Roman cities less often.