African connections with Anglo-Saxon England? New insights from ancient DNA

burial site with partial skeletal remains

Date and Time

November 6, 2025
05:00PM - 06:15PM EST

Location

CGIS S020 Belfer Case Study room (Lower Level)

1730 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

A More Diverse Society in Medieval Britain

Thursday, November 6, 2025 | 5:00–6:30 PM (ET)

Belfer Case Study Room, CGIS South S020 (Lower Level)
1730 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA

In Person Registration Button
Virtual Registration Button

Join for a discussion of the earliest direct genetic evidence of West African ancestry in early medieval Britain. DNA from two individuals buried in 7th-century England—one from Kent and one from Dorset—shows recent West African ancestry within two generations. Both were buried according to local customs, indicating community integration. 

Speaker

headshot of Dr. Joscha Gretzinger

Joscha Gretzinger

Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

Comments by
 
headshot of Dr. Akeampong

Emmanuel K. Akyeampong 

 

African and African American Studies, Harvard University

headshot of Dr. Hines

John Hines 

School of History, Archaeology and Religion, Cardiff University

Share on:
Save: Add to calendar