According to Dr. Hoyos, the Phoenicians were closely linked with Carthage, and despite many people moving there and starting families between the 10th and 7th centuries, they still remained a small part of the population. There is a lack of evidence showing a regular supply of Phoenician women becoming wives of male settlers.
Dr. Hoyos suggested that both male and female settlers found partners in the surrounding areas. Some marriages were recorded between Cartaginian royalty and nobles from the west of the city.
The new findings support existing theories and indicate demographic changes in the 6th century BC. Carthaginians started using a new dialect called Punic, and the predominant burial method shifted from cremation to funerals.
Dr. Reich stated that genetic data reveal significant changes in the population due to these cultural shifts. Future research aims to comprehensively understand these changes by integrating genetic, archaeological, and historical evidence.
Historian Eve MacDonald from Cardiff University, who was not part of the study, highlighted the challenge of generalizing due to the relatively small sample size. She emphasized the importance of broadening our understanding of the ancient world beyond simplistic narratives of “us vs. them” or Romans versus Carthaginians.
Dr. MacDonald pointed out that being a Carthaginian is not defined by a specific genetic marker but involves the complexity of the city-state and its people. She emphasized that identity cannot be reduced solely to genetics, but encompasses various factors such as connections to Carthage, myths, culture, and family.
Source: www.nytimes.com
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