


<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout" style="border:1px solid #000;border-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr><td>
<h2>Key Takeaways</h2>
<ul><li>23andMe’s new Reconstructed Ancestors feature, the first and only feature of its kind, analyzes shared DNA segments across your relatives to accurately reconstruct the genetic profiles of parents and grandparents who were never genotyped (with plans to add more ancestors in the future).</li>
<li>Profiles evolve over time; as you build your family tree and the global database grows, your ancestor profiles become increasingly detailed and precise.</li>
<li>This feature provides a new path for all members, including adoptees or those with limited family information, to uncover ancestral inheritance and reclaim family history where written records are lost or nonexistent.</li></ul>
</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p>At 23andMe, we believe your DNA holds the key to stories you’ve never heard and people you’ve never met. Today, we’re excited to introduce a groundbreaking new feature that uncovers ancestral stories hidden in your DNA: <strong>Reconstructed Ancestors</strong>.</p>



<p>This innovative experience uses the DNA you share with close and distant relatives to piece together the genetic profiles of your ancestors, revealing insights into their ancestry composition and what they passed down to you.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="777" height="1024" src="/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/reconstructed-ancestors-grandfather-777x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34982" style="width:417px;height:auto" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/reconstructed-ancestors-grandfather-777x1024.png 777w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/reconstructed-ancestors-grandfather-228x300.png 228w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/reconstructed-ancestors-grandfather-768x1012.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/reconstructed-ancestors-grandfather-668x880.png 668w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/reconstructed-ancestors-grandfather-895x1180.png 895w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/reconstructed-ancestors-grandfather.png 905w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 777px) 100vw, 777px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unlocking-your-family-s-untold-stories">Unlocking Your Family’s Untold Stories</h2>



<p>For many of us, family history has blank spaces. Maybe it’s because records were lost or destroyed or never existed in the first place. Maybe no one really talked about “that side” of the family. Reconstructed Ancestors helps bridge those gaps by using DNA to learn about how ancestry from different global populations moves through branches of your family tree.</p>



<p>23andMe can use your genetic relatives to rebuild parts of your ancestors’ genetic profiles. That means you can learn more about ancestors who were never genotyped and who may no longer be here to share their stories.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">GRAMPA: The DNA Detective Behind the Scenes</h2>



<p>Behind the scenes is our GRAMPA algorithm (Genotype Reconstruction and Ancestral Mixture Proportions in Ancestors). Think of it like a genetic jigsaw puzzle: each piece of DNA you share with another relative has traveled through a shared ancestor. GRAMPA uses these overlapping segments, scattered across hundreds or even thousands of relatives to piece together the genome of that shared ancestor.</p>



<p>The more relatives who test, and the more relatives you add to your family tree, the more pieces we have and the clearer the picture becomes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">An Ever-Growing Portrait of Your Family’s Past</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="658" height="1024" src="/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/reconstructed-ancestors-what-you-inherited-658x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34984" style="width:249px;height:auto" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/reconstructed-ancestors-what-you-inherited-658x1024.png 658w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/reconstructed-ancestors-what-you-inherited-193x300.png 193w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/reconstructed-ancestors-what-you-inherited-768x1196.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/reconstructed-ancestors-what-you-inherited-565x880.png 565w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/reconstructed-ancestors-what-you-inherited-758x1180.png 758w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/reconstructed-ancestors-what-you-inherited.png 786w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 658px) 100vw, 658px" /></figure>



<p>Reconstructing an ancestor starts with our DNA Relatives feature. By opting in, you allow 23andMe to identify and connect you to people who share DNA with you. These connections form the foundation of your automatic, DNA-based Family Tree and it’s from this tree that we can begin to reconstruct your recent ancestors. First, we scan the database for shared DNA segments between you and your relatives. Then we begin piecing together those segments into an ancestor profile, revealing what we can for now and continuing to add more over time.</p>



<p>Each reconstructed ancestor profile is unique and dynamic. As you build out your Family Tree, and as the 23andMe DNA database grows, more puzzle pieces are added to the ancestor profile. You can see what percentage of your DNA you inherited from that ancestor, explore their likely ancestry and begin to imagine who they might have been. The story deepens, details emerge, and a clearer picture of your family history begins to take shape.</p>



<p>Importantly, your privacy remains central. You control who sees your Reconstructed Ancestors, your Family Tree and how your information is used, ensuring your journey into your family’s past is both meaningful and secure.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why It’s Different</h2>



<p>Reconstructed Ancestors is the first and only feature of its kind. It covers more than just inheritance; it rebuilds the genome of the person behind the inheritance. And it’s not limited to parents. At launch, the feature will include ancestors up to grandparents. Our hope is that one day you will be able to accurately piece together your entire family tree, including the gaps, with DNA as your guide.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="786" height="624" src="/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/reconstructed-ancestors-dna-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34987" style="width:323px;height:auto" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/reconstructed-ancestors-dna-1.png 786w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/reconstructed-ancestors-dna-1-300x238.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/reconstructed-ancestors-dna-1-768x610.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 786px) 100vw, 786px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Real Stories, New Connections</h2>



<p>More than 200,000 23andMe customers who self-report as an adoptee have already found close relatives in our database. For those who cannot make that connection yet, Reconstructed Ancestors offers a new kind of discovery, a way to learn about their ancestry inheritance, a way to feel closer to a relative they’ve never met.</p>



<p>It’s about more than just genetics. It’s about reclaiming pieces of your past that history forgot.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Available for Subscribers</h2>



<p>Reconstructed Ancestors will be available for <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ and <a href="https://www.23andme.com/total-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Total Health</a>™ members. There’s no need to provide another DNA sample or wait for results.</p>



<p>And this is just the beginning. Your family story is still unfolding. Every new relative who joins 23andMe helps add more pieces to the puzzle and brings you one step closer to understanding where you come from.</p>



Sr. Product Manager

Sarabeth Hamberlin

Meet Your Reconstructed Ancestors: A New Chapter in Your Family Story




<p>Whether you’re a seasoned genetics explorer or just beginning to dive into your DNA, the most exciting part of the journey is often discovering how you’re connected to others.</p>



<p>Today, we’re thrilled to introduce <strong>DNA Relatives Clustering</strong>, a powerful new tool for <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ members that helps you get more out of your genetic connections. Track down shared ancestors and visualize family branches seamlessly, instead of manually piecing together how your genetic relatives are related. This feature automatically organizes your DNA Relatives into visual groups based on their shared genetic connections.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-it-s-a-game-changer">Why It’s a Game-Changer</h2>



<p>In the past, identifying which relatives belonged to your mother’s side versus your father’s side, or deeper into specific great-grandparent lines, required lots of manual searching.</p>



<p>Clustering does the heavy lifting for you. By providing a visual map of your genetic network, it’s easier than ever to find this information. It’s not just a list of names anymore; it’s a blueprint of your history.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-it-works-a-visual-map-of-your-family">How It Works: A Visual Map of Your Family</h2>



<p>DNA Relatives Clustering generates an intuitive &#8220;map&#8221; of your family connections. By analyzing how your relatives share DNA with one another, not just with you, the tool creates a grid that brings your family branches to life.</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Clusters (Blocks of the Same Color): These represent a specific branch or part of your family. A cluster typically corresponds to people who share a set of specific ancestors, such as a pair of great-great-grandparents. Individual colored squares within a cluster show two people who share sufficient DNA with each other and with other relatives in that group. You can hover over each square to learn about the DNA shared between those two relatives.</li>



<li>“Single Square” Clusters: Occasionally, you’ll see a single colorful square on the diagonal. These are DNA relatives who are connected to relatives in other clusters but don&#8217;t share DNA with enough people to be included in those clusters. Nevertheless they can help you figure out how the clusters relate to you and each other.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>



<li>Dark Gray Squares: These squares appear &#8220;off the diagonal&#8221; and represent people who share DNA but aren’t grouped into the same cluster. These can be useful for seeing how clusters reflect different branches of your family tree.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-science-behind-the-scenes">The Science Behind the Scenes</h2>



<p>Our scientists are always looking for ways to make genetic data more actionable. DNA Relatives Clustering was inspired by the popular Leeds Method, a manual sorting technique used by genealogists.</p>



<p>However, we’ve taken it a step further. Our scientists designed a novel algorithm specifically for the 23andMe platform. While our tool uses optimal defaults to get you started, we’ve also included advanced filtering controls, allowing you to customize the parameters of your map more than any other tool on the market. You can change settings to adjust who gets included, make the clusters more closely or loosely related, or focus the analysis on just the DNA Relatives shared in common with another DNA Relative. <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/38509301730839-How-to-Use-DNA-Relatives-Clustering-at-23andMe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Learn a little more about how to run clustering analyses</a>, and have fun exploring!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-get-started">Get Started</h2>



<p>DNA Relatives Clustering is available now for 23andMe+ Premium members. Ready to see your family in a whole new light?</p>



Peter Wilton

Introducing DNA Relatives Clustering: A New Way to Map Genetic Connections at 23andMe




<p>DNA is more than just a list of percentages, it’s a map of your history that connects you to the people who came before you and the living relatives who share your journey. Today, we are excited to announce the reintroduction of a fan-favorite tool, Advanced DNA Comparison, now powered by our most sophisticated technology yet.</p>



<p>For <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ members, this feature allows you to look under the hood of your genetic matches and move from &#8220;we are related&#8221; to &#8220;here is how we fit together.&#8221; While features like <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/sections/202646848-DNA-Relatives" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA Relatives</a> may tell you <em>that</em> you are genetically related to someone, Advanced DNA Comparison shows you exactly <em>where</em> that shared DNA lives on your genome. Whether you are piecing together a complex family mystery, building out your family tree, or simply trying to understand how you are connected to a new match, this tool gives you a way to start mapping your history with unprecedented precision.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-advanced-dna-comparison">What is Advanced DNA Comparison?</h2>



<p>This feature allows you to visualize the specific segments of DNA you share with your relatives.</p>



<p>By identifying these shared blocks of genetic code, you can start performing deep-dive genealogical research. 23andMe+ Premium members can:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>View Segment Locations: See the start and end points of shared DNA between you and a DNA relative or connection across all 23 chromosomes.</li>



<li>Compare Multiple People: Analyze shared segments with up to five relatives at once to identify common ancestors.</li>



<li>Uncover &#8220;Triangulation&#8221;: Find overlapping segments among multiple matches to help determine which branch of your family tree a new relative belongs to.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-powered-by-hybridibd-technology">Powered by HybridIBD Technology</h2>



<p>The reintroduction of this tool isn&#8217;t just a simple &#8220;unlock&#8221; of old software. We’ve rebuilt the engine using our enhanced <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/update-to-dna-relatives" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HybridIBD™ technology</a>. This advanced algorithm combines two different types of IBD analysis (phasedIBD and IBD64) to detect shared segments with higher precision than ever before. This is especially helpful for correctly identifying distant relatives, and for identifying more close relationships for members with South Asian, West Asian, or North African ancestries.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Each time you compare new individuals, you&#8217;re running a custom analysis. We regularly update our phasing algorithms to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41046513/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">improve DNA comparisons</a>, and computing your results in real-time ensures high precision and up-to-date insights.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-the-detail-matters">Why the Detail Matters</h2>



<p>Why look at segments instead of just percentages? Because the <em>length</em> and <em>location</em> of shared DNA tell a story:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Recent vs. Distant: Generally, longer segments indicate a more recent common ancestor. Multiple short, &#8220;choppy&#8221; segments across the genome often suggest more distant, population-wide sharing.</li>



<li>Mapping Your Tree: If you and two other cousins all share the exact same segment, it’s a &#8220;smoking gun&#8221; that you all inherited that DNA from the same specific ancestor.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-privacy-and-security-first">Privacy and Security First</h2>



<p>We know that your genetic data is your most sensitive information. We’ve redesigned this feature with a &#8220;Security-First&#8221; architecture to ensure you remain in total control of what you share:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Explicit Consent: You can only see segments for DNA Relatives who have specifically opted into sharing matching DNA segments, or with connections who have chosen to share with you.</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="386" src="/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DNAR-settings-1024x386.png" alt="An image showing the DNA Relatives settings that allow you share segments or not." class="wp-image-34951" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DNAR-settings-1024x386.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DNAR-settings-300x113.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DNAR-settings-768x290.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DNAR-settings-880x332.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DNAR-settings-1180x445.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DNAR-settings.png 1750w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Personalized Comparison: You can only compare your own profile (or profiles you manage within your account, or connected profiles) against your DNA relatives and connections.&nbsp;</li>



<li>Total Control: You can opt-in or opt-out of segment sharing at any time through your DNA Relatives settings or by managing your connections.</li>



<li>Proactive Safeguards: Built-in protections help prevent attempts to misuse this feature to view others’ information while maintaining the functionality for it to be used as intended.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How to Get Started</h2>



<p>If you are already a <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium</a> member, you can find the Advanced DNA Comparison tool under &#8220;Family &amp; Friends&#8221; today.</p>



<p>Not a Premium member yet? Upgrading gives you immediate access to this feature, along with advanced DNA Relatives filters, <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/introducing-dna-relatives-clustering" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA Relatives Clustering</a>, the <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Matches</a><sup>SM</sup> feature, Distant Genetic Groups, and innovative health reports.</p>



Samantha Ancona Esselmann

Decoding Your Connections: Introducing Advanced DNA Comparison




<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-remote-island-at-the-heart-of-history">A Remote Island at the Heart of History</h2>



<p>Located 1,200 miles from the coast of Africa, Saint Helena is perhaps best known as the final place of exile for Napoleon Bonaparte. However, the island&#8217;s genetic story is much more complex than a single French emperor.</p>



<p>While the Island of St. Helena was first sighted by Portuguese explorers in the early 16th century, its modern trajectory began in 1659 when the English East India Company established a permanent settlement. Its strategic position along the vital trade routes between Europe and Asia made it an important resupply station for ships rounding the Cape of Good Hope. This central role in maritime commerce resulted in a diverse blend of inhabitants from European settlers, Chinese laborers, and enslaved people brought from Madagascar, Malaysia, India, and Africa.</p>



<p>Starting in 1840, St. Helena became a pivotal base for the British Royal Navy’s campaign to suppress the transatlantic slave trade. Between 1840 and 1867, the Navy intercepted slave ships and brought approximately 27,000 &#8220;liberated Africans&#8221; to the island. While these individuals were freed from bondage, many had suffered immensely during the Middle Passage, and some of those who did not survive were buried on St. Helena. For centuries, the specific origins of those buried here were lost, until now.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-restoring-lost-connections">Restoring Lost Connections</h2>



<p>In 2007 and 2008 archeologists uncovered the remains of 325 individuals during roadwork on the north coast of St. Helena associated with the construction of the island’s first ever airport. Ancient DNA researchers <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37683613/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sequenced the genomes</a> of 20 of those individuals. This research has provided the first direct evidence of their origins:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Geographic Roots</strong>: DNA revealed that these individuals likely originated from West Central Africa, specifically the region between northern Angola and Gabon.</li>



<li><strong>A Snapshot of the Trade</strong>: The genetic analysis aligned with broader archaeological findings that confirmed a significant sex bias: 17 of the 20 individuals were male. This reflects the documented patterns of the late-stage slave trade.</li>
</ul>



<p><a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ members can now see if they share DNA with 7 of the 20 individuals whose genomes were sequenced who are now included in the <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Matches</a><sup>SM</sup> feature. This update means you may find a genetic connection to these specific historical individuals, helping to restore a genealogical bridge that was once thought to be permanently broken.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-genetic-tapestry-of-modern-saints-nbsp">The Genetic Tapestry of Modern &#8220;Saints&#8221;&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The story of St. Helena doesn&#8217;t end in the 19th century. Today’s islanders, known as &#8220;Saints,&#8221; carry a diverse genetic legacy shaped by the island&#8217;s role as a global crossroads. To investigate the modern genetics of St. Helena we looked at 23andMe members who reported recent ancestors from St. Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha. From this we created our new &#8220;Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha&#8221; Genetic Group allowing 23andMe members to see if they have a connection to people from this British Overseas Territory within the Migrations section of their Ancestry Composition report.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In creating this Genetic Group we noticed some interesting highlights:&nbsp;</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The modern population is a blend of African, European, and Asian roots.</li>



<li>&#8220;Saints&#8221; often show an interesting bias in their maternal and paternal lines. Maternal haplogroups frequently point toward Austronesian or South Asian ancestry, while paternal lines are often a mix of South Asian and European origins.</li>



<li>Interestingly, there is little overlap between the people who match the liberated Africans in our Historical Matches and those who receive matches to the St. Helena Genetic Group. This might suggest that many of the liberated Africans eventually left the island or died without descendants who remained there, while the modern &#8220;Saints&#8221; who make up this Genetic Group may represent a separate chapter of the island&#8217;s vibrant history.</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="529" src="/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/St-helena-side-by-side-1024x529.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34932" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/St-helena-side-by-side-1024x529.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/St-helena-side-by-side-300x155.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/St-helena-side-by-side-768x397.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/St-helena-side-by-side-880x455.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/St-helena-side-by-side-1180x610.png 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em><em>The averaged Ancestry Composition of the individuals in the Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha Genetic Group (left) and individuals who have Historical Matches to the The Liberated Africans of St. Helena Island (right).</em></em></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why This Matters</h2>



<p>Genetics is more than just percentages on a map; it can be a tool for historical justice and personal discovery. By studying both the ancient DNA of historical individuals and the data of modern populations, we can honor the legacy of those whose stories were omitted from history books. Whether you are a &#8220;Saint&#8221; yourself or a 23andMe member discovering a new connection to the South Atlantic, these updates remind us that our DNA is a living record of the journeys that shaped our world.</p>



Sr. Scientist I, Population Genetics R&D

Éadaoin Harney

Genetics of a Global Crossroads: A Deep Dive into Saint Helena’s Ancestry




<p>Long-distance relationships are nothing new. In the 6th century, the Silk Road was the ultimate connector: a thousands-of-miles-long highway spanning from Asia to Southern Europe, that brought people, religions, and traditions together. This Valentine’s Day, we’re looking at the story of a partnership that emerged from this ancient trade route.</p>



<p>In 2005, archaeologists discovered a joint tomb just outside the ancient Chinese capital of Chang’an (modern-day Xi&#8217;an). According to inscriptions found at the site, the tomb belonged to a man named Li Dan and his wife, a couple who had been laid to rest there approximately 1,500 years ago.</p>



<p>While a DNA test cannot technically &#8220;prove&#8221; if two people were in love, their shared burial and the unique mix of designs inspired by two distinctive cultures found on their tomb suggest a connection that defied geographical barriers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-mystery-written-in-stone">A Mystery Written in Stone</h2>



<p>For centuries, the story of this couple was a riddle hidden in plain sight. Li Dan’s funeral inscription made two contradictory claims: it stated he was a descendant of prestigious Chinese aristocratic clans, yet it also identified his father and grandfather as Brahmins from ancient South Asian kingdoms.</p>



<p>The rest of the tomb only added to the mystery, as it featured a fusion of cultures. Although the tomb was built in a traditional Chinese architectural style, it was decorated with a mixture of local mythical figures, like the Four Divine Beasts, and foreign guardians that resembled Buddhist statues from India. Even more striking was the discovery of a gold coin from the Eastern Roman Empire found in the wife’s mouth—a custom common along the Silk Road but far from the local norm.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="748" height="890" src="/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Li_Dan_tomb_entrance_line_drawing.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-34839" style="width:337px;height:auto" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Li_Dan_tomb_entrance_line_drawing.jpg 748w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Li_Dan_tomb_entrance_line_drawing-252x300.jpg 252w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Li_Dan_tomb_entrance_line_drawing-740x880.jpg 740w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 748px) 100vw, 748px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>A line drawing of the entrance to Li Dan&#8217;s tomb</em></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-cross-border-connection-written-in-dna">A Cross-Border Connection Written in DNA</h2>



<p>Late last year, a team of researchers decided to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105474" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study the couple’s DNA</a> to help resolve the contradictions found in their tomb. The results provided the first direct genomic evidence of a 6th-century couple with such distinct ancestral backgrounds.</p>



<p>Genetic analysis revealed that Li Dan had northern South Asian ancestry. His genetic profile showed broad similarities to present-day Brahmin groups, supporting the inscriptions on his tomb suggesting his family belonged to this community. In contrast, his wife’s ancestry was local to Chang’an, tracing back to ancient farmers of the Middle Yellow River in northern China. The unique mix of Chinese and South Asian influences discovered in their tomb reflects a blending of cultures that likely characterized their lives.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-home-at-the-heart-of-the-world">A Home at the Heart of the World</h2>



<p>We may never know how they felt about each other, but their tomb tells us how they may have lived. Li Dan was a high-status traveler who arrived in Chang’an to expound Buddhist scriptures after studying in the kingdom of Jibin. Rather than remaining an outsider, he settled down, married a local woman, and adopted a Chinese surname, all while keeping the traditions of his homeland alive.</p>



<p>This Valentine&#8217;s Day, their story reminds us that even 1,500 years ago, the most enduring connections can bridge different worlds.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-more">Learn More</h2>



<p>Want to see if you’re genetically connected to this ancient couple, or to hundreds of other historical individuals? The <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Matches</a><sup>SM</sup> feature is available to <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ members.</p>



New Historical Matches Could Link You to This 6th Century “Cross-Border” Couple




<p>In 2004, a construction crew preparing to build a shopping center in Norwich, England, uncovered a disturbing mystery: a medieval well containing the commingled remains of at least 17 people. The positioning of the skeletons suggested they had been thrown in head-first, victims of a single, violent event. For years, the identity of these individuals remained unknown, their story lost to the silence of the well.</p>



<p>But thanks to ancient DNA technology, a team of researchers from the Natural History Museum and University College London was finally able to tell their story in a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36044903/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic study published in the journal <em>Current Biology</em> in 2022</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This month, 23andMe is adding these individuals to our <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Matches</a><sup>SM</sup> feature, allowing customers to see if they share a genetic connection to one of the earliest identified Ashkenazi Jewish communities in England. This update offers a poignant glimpse into this tragic moment in history.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solving-a-medieval-mystery">Solving a Medieval Mystery</h2>



<p>When archaeologists first analyzed the site, the chaotic nature of the burial suggested a catastrophe, such as famine, epidemic, or violent massacre, in which the victims were hastily buried by survivors in a makeshift grave. However the exact nature of this catastrophe remained a mystery.</p>



<p>In this genetic study, researchers sequenced the genomes of six individuals buried within the well, shedding new light on the individuals buried within the mass grave. Their analyses revealed that all six individuals shared strong genetic affinities with present-day Ashkenazi Jewish populations. Additionally, radiocarbon dating placed their deaths between 1161 and 1216 CE. This precise timeline, combined with their ancestry and the location of the well just south of the medieval Jewish quarter, pointed towards a specific historical tragedy in Norwich’s history: the antisemitic riots of February 6, 1190 CE, for which there is historically documented evidence of a massacre of the Jewish community in Norwich.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-family-connections">Family Connections</h2>



<p>What makes this study particularly powerful is that it revealed that those buried in the well were not strangers, but a group of close relatives who likely sought shelter together during this violent massacre. Among the six individuals whose genomes were sequenced, the research team identified three young sisters and two other distantly related males. This suggests that the victims of this attack were not randomly selected from across the Norwich population, but instead that these may have been members of a single or small number of households or families who had gathered together for protection.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-window-into-genetic-history">A Window into Genetic History</h2>



<p>This study also provided the first genetic data for a Jewish community in medieval England, offering a new timeline for the Ashkenazi &#8220;genetic bottleneck&#8221;—a historical event detectable in the genomes of people with Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry where the population size was drastically reduced, leading to lower genetic diversity. While historians had previously theorized this bottleneck occurred later, during the persecutions of the 14th or 15th centuries, the genetic signatures in the Norwich individuals suggest it began centuries earlier.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This early genetic bottleneck is the reason why variants associated with specific hereditary diseases are common among modern Ashkenazi Jewish populations. With this in mind, the study team searched for these disease-associated markers and discovered that variants responsible for a number of conditions that occur at elevated frequency in Ashkenazi Jewish populations were already present in the medieval Norwich population at frequencies similar to those seen today. This finding challenges the long-held belief that such diseases became more common in this community later in history. Instead, the study demonstrates that the genetic factors affecting Ashkenazi Jewish health today have a lineage stretching back nearly a millennium, predating the major pogroms and expulsions of the later Middle Ages.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-honoring-the-past">Honoring the Past</h2>



<p>Although Jewish law typically prohibits the disturbance of human remains, the likely religious identity of these individuals was unknown during the initial rescue excavation in 2004. However, once researchers suspected that the remains might belong to members of the medieval Jewish community, they immediately consulted with the Norwich Hebrew Congregation. The study proceeded only after receiving specific permission from the Office of the Chief Rabbi to investigate the history of these individuals. Following the completion of osteological and genetic analyses, the remains were respectfully reinterred in the Jewish cemetery in Norwich during a multi-faith ceremony. Today, these individuals are remembered through a commemorative plaque placed near the original site of the well, ensuring their story is no longer lost to history.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Jewish_memorial_in_Earlham_cemetery_Norwich._JPG-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-34742" style="width:358px;height:auto" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Jewish_memorial_in_Earlham_cemetery_Norwich._JPG-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Jewish_memorial_in_Earlham_cemetery_Norwich._JPG-225x300.jpg 225w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Jewish_memorial_in_Earlham_cemetery_Norwich._JPG-660x880.jpg 660w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Jewish_memorial_in_Earlham_cemetery_Norwich._JPG-885x1180.jpg 885w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Jewish_memorial_in_Earlham_cemetery_Norwich._JPG-scaled.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>A photo of the memorial stone that was placed at the site where the individuals were reburied. It is located in the Jewish section of Earlham Cemetery, Norwich.</em> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jewish_memorial_in_Earlham_cemetery_Norwich._JPG.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northmetpit</a>, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Explore Your Connection</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ members can now explore whether they share a genetic link to these individuals–and hundreds of others–through the Historical Matches feature.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Note of Remembrance</h2>



<p>We are releasing this update as we approach January 27, the United Nations-designated International Holocaust Remembrance Day. While the events in Norwich occurred centuries before the Holocaust, they serve as a somber reminder of the long history of antisemitism and the atrocities committed against Jewish communities throughout history.</p>



New Historical Matches Could Connect you to the Lost Jewish Community of Medieval Norwich




<p>This December, we’re adding 18 new individuals dating to the Late Antique Period in Dalmatia to our <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Matches</a><sup>SM</sup> feature.</p>



<p>These newly added historical matches offer a rare biological glimpse into a world in transition during the decline of the Roman Empire. Keep reading to learn more about the region’s unique history.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-the-late-antique-period">What is the Late Antique Period?</h2>



<p>Historians generally define the &#8220;Late Antique&#8221; period as the era between the third and seventh centuries CE. It was a time of significant transformation for the Roman world, as political instability, shifting borders, and economic pressures altered long-standing structures across the Mediterranean. This period bridged the gap between the classical Roman era and the early Middle Ages.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-is-dalmatia">Where is Dalmatia?</h2>



<p>The Roman province of Dalmatia was situated along the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, encompassing much of modern-day Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and parts of Serbia and Albania. The region takes its name from the Dalmatae, an Illyrian tribe that historically inhabited the interior.</p>



<p>For centuries, Dalmatia was integrated into the imperial Roman system, featuring established coastal towns, island settlements, and a network of roads and ports that linked the Eastern and Western halves of the Empire. Its position along major maritime routes meant it remained a key logistical hub even as the Empire faced mounting challenges.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-in-the-late-antique-port-of-hvar">Life in the Late Antique Port of Hvar</h2>



<p>Although we know Dalmatia served as a vital connection point during this period, historical records reveal relatively little about the daily lives of its inhabitants. To fill this gap, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39606698/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a 2024 study</a> analyzed the remains of 33 individuals recovered from the Hvar-Radoševi? burial site on the island of Hvar.</p>



<p>Using a multidisciplinary approach that combined ancient DNA sequencing, chemical dietary analysis, and skeletal health assessments, the research team reconstructed the biological profile of this community.</p>



<p>Their findings painted a vivid picture of a community shaped by its connection to the wider Roman world. While most individuals were genetically similar to other ancient Mediterranean populations, the study identified several outliers with roots in the eastern Mediterranean and North Africa, confirming the island&#8217;s role as a cosmopolitan crossroads.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, the instability of the Roman world at this time also had its impact. Despite access to the sea, the dietary analysis revealed a surprise: the population appears to have consumed very little seafood, subsisting mostly on grains and terrestrial crops. The skeletal evidence further revealed that life in this strategic port was physically demanding, characterized by high childhood mortality and signs of significant physiological stress.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-more">Learn More</h2>



<p>Could you be connected to the inhabitants of Late Antique Dalmatia—or to hundreds of other historical individuals? The Historical Matches feature is available to <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ members.</p>



New Historical Matches Could Connect You to the Dalmatian Coast During the Late Roman Period


<p>Everything we do at the 23andMe Research Institute starts with our amazing community of consented research participants. The data they share helps our scientists uncover new insights about genetics, across health and ancestry, pushing science forward in ways that we hope can benefit different communities, researchers, and future generations. These discoveries are also returned to our members in the form of new reports and features: from more detailed ancestry breakdowns to new health reports on a variety of conditions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>With that spirit of discovery in mind, here are some of the new reports and product features that our consented research participants and expert scientists helped to make happen in 2025.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-genetic-health-amp-wellness-reports-and-features">New Genetic Health &amp; Wellness Reports and Features</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="960" height="353" src="/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/health-product-generic.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34664" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/health-product-generic.png 960w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/health-product-generic-300x110.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/health-product-generic-768x282.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/health-product-generic-880x324.png 880w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></figure>



<p>This year, consented 23andMe research participants, along with our groundbreaking research platform, delivered new polygenic risk score (PRS) reports to our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ members, offering deeper insights into complex health conditions.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/genetics-may-explain-why-some-athletes-are-more-prone-to-acl-tears"><strong>ACL Tear</strong></a></td><td>Shows how a person&#8217;s genetics may influence their likelihood of experiencing an ACL tear, an injury common in high-impact sports.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/menopause-isnt-just-for-later-what-you-should-know-now"><strong>Early Menopause</strong></a></td><td>Offers insights to female members into the genetic predisposition for experiencing natural menopause before age 45.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/could-your-painful-periods-be-endometriosis-heres-what-you-should-know"><strong>Endometriosis</strong></a></td><td>Helps female members understand their genetic likelihood of developing endometriosis, a common condition that often takes years to diagnose.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/acid-attack-unraveling-the-genetics-of-gerd"><strong>GERD</strong></a></td><td>Provides insight into the genetics of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that impacts around 20% of people in the U.S.&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/osteoporosis-report"><strong>Osteoporosis</strong></a></td><td>Estimates an individual&#8217;s genetic likelihood of developing low bone density.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-report-on-severe-morning-sickness"><strong>Severe Morning Sickness</strong></a></td><td>Allows female members to assess their genetic likelihood of experiencing severe morning sickness during pregnancy.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p>We also answered the call from our members to provide more information about MTHFR as well as genetic differences that can impact health disparities.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/our-take-on-the-mthfr-gene"><strong>Homocysteine (MTHFR-Related)</strong></a></td><td>Examines common variants in the MTHFR gene associated with slightly increased homocysteine levels in the blood.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/the-duffy-antigen-gene-a-clue-behind-white-blood-cell-differences"><strong>White Blood Cell Count (Duffy Antigen-Related)</strong></a></td><td>Raises awareness about the Duffy null genotype, which is common among people with African ancestry and leads to naturally lower white blood cell counts. Understanding this can help prevent misdiagnoses and unnecessary follow-up testing.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-health-beyond-dna"><br>Expanding Health Beyond DNA</h3>



<p>We further expanded our integrated health offerings to include expanded direct access to blood testing services (where available), including the <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andme-expands-blood-testing-biological-age">Biological Age Panel</a>. This allows members to get a more complete health picture by combining genetic and real-time health data.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-major-ancestry-updates">Major Ancestry Updates</h2>



<p>2025 brought the most significant update ever to our Ancestry Composition report, expanding granularity and increasing accuracy across the globe. Members can now see if they have connections to more than 4,500 geographic regions, the most comprehensive ancestry breakdown on the market.</p>



<p><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/ancestry-composition-version-7-is-here" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Ancestry Composition v7.0</strong></a> was a major overhaul, adding 33 new European populations and 6 new Indigenous American populations to our Ancestry Composition breakdown. Thanks to a new DNA phasing pipeline and a new method for refining reference panels, the update also improved accuracy for other regions of the world. Finally, a new chromosome painting method&nbsp; eliminated &#8220;Broadly&#8221; and &#8220;Unassigned&#8221; categories in the default view.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="508" src="/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/image-1024x508.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34636" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/image-1024x508.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/image-300x149.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/image-768x381.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/image-880x437.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/image-1180x586.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/image.png 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>We also added more than 800 new Genetic Groups this year. These updates were available to all 23andMe members, with additional features (such as <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/discover-distant-genetic-groups-with-23andme-premium" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Distant Genetic Groups</a>) for 23andMe+ Premium members.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-genetic-groups-in-eastern-europe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Eastern European Genetic Groups</strong></a></td><td>Introduces Genetic Groups for people with ancestry in Belarus, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/european-diaspora-genetic-groups-update" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>European Diaspora</strong></a> <strong><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/genetic-groups-french-german-us-canada" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Genetic Groups</a></strong></td><td>Adds new Genetic Groups for people of European descent who settled in the U.S., Canada, and South Africa.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/a-new-era-for-african-genetic-groups-at-23andme" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Expanded African Genetic Groups</strong></a></td><td>Expands from 25 to over 250 Genetic Groups across Sub-Saharan Africa, offering significantly more detail and precision for members in the African diaspora.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-genetic-groups-in-china-korea-mongolia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Genetic Groups in China, Korea, Mongolia</strong></a></td><td>Expands Genetic Groups in East Asia, providing matches for members with ancestry from China, Korea, and Mongolia.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/genetic-groups-south-asia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>South Asian Genetic Groups</strong></a></td><td>Adds more detail to Genetic Groups in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Afghanistan.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historical-matches">Historical Matches</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="393" src="/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/historical_matches-1-1024x393.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34662" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/historical_matches-1-1024x393.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/historical_matches-1-300x115.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/historical_matches-1-768x295.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/historical_matches-1-880x338.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/historical_matches-1-1180x453.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/historical_matches-1.png 1668w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>The <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches">Historical Matches</a><sup>SM</sup> feature continued to expand with over 275 new individuals added, connecting 23andMe+ Premium members to ancient and notable figures from diverse eras and regions.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/historical-matches-ancient-china" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Ancient China</strong></a></td><td>Adds fifty-six new Historical Matches from three recent studies of ancient China, offering connections to populations like those in Shandong Province and Chang’an.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-historical-matches-could-connect-you-to-cheddar-man-and-britains-earliest-farmers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Cheddar Man and Early Farmers in Britain</strong></a></td><td>Allows members to explore how the transition to farming transformed ancient Britain through 18 ancient individuals, including the famous Cheddar Man.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/historical-matches-beyond-an-xx-or-xy-binary" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Chromosome Number Diversity in the Past</strong></a></td><td>Adds historical matches based on a 2024 study identifying ancient individuals in Britain with sex chromosome variations (aneuploidies).</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/historical-matches-african-american-us-mexico" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Early Colonial Africans in Mexico &amp; Individuals from Catoctin Furnace</strong></a></td><td>Expands the Historical Matches feature to include 16 new historical African and African American individuals from Catoctin Furnace (U.S.) and colonial Mexico.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/historical-matches-from-early-medieval-france" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Early Medieval France</strong></a></td><td>Features individuals from early medieval France, highlighting evidence of migration from Great Britain, Ireland, and North Africa in shaping the region&#8217;s demography.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-historical-matches-connect-to-erik-the-reds-home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Erik the Red&#8217;s Homestead</strong></a></td><td>Adds four new individuals from the Viking Age settlement of Brattahlid, the homestead of Erik the Red, to the Historical Matches feature.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-historical-matches-could-connect-you-a-lineage-of-iron-age-celtic-women-in-britain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Iron Age Celtic Women</strong></a></td><td>Adds matches to a lineage of Iron Age Celtic women in Britain, suggesting a matrilocal society.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-historical-matches-could-connect-you-to-medieval-iberians" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Medieval Iberians</strong></a></td><td>Adds individuals from Las Gobas, a medieval site in northern Spain, revealing insights into a small, isolated Christian community.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/historical-matches-may-link-you-to-named-historical-figures" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Named Historical Figures</strong></a></td><td>Includes DNA matches for notable individuals like George Bähr (German architect) and Bishop Peder Winstrup (Swedish bishop).</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/historical-matches-ancient-irish-elite" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Neolithic Ireland</strong></a></td><td>Adds individuals connected to an elite, megalithic society in Neolithic Ireland that built passage tombs over 5,000 years ago.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-historical-matches-the-mysterious-skeletons-of-roopkund-lake" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>The Mystery of Roopkund Lake</strong></a></td><td>Features genetic analysis of skeletons from Roopkund Lake, revealing three distinct groups with South Asian, Eastern Mediterranean, and Southeast Asian ancestries.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-historical-matches-could-connect-you-to-europes-viking-age" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Viking Age Europe</strong></a></td><td>Adds 23 individuals from sites across Europe and Greenland to study the genetic diversity of the Viking Age.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-we-continue-to-deliver-cutting-edge-ancestry-science-nbsp">We continue to deliver cutting-edge ancestry science&nbsp;</h3>



<p>This year we also improved the DNA Relatives features with <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/update-to-dna-relatives" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">two new updates</a>: improved relationship prediction estimates and the HybridIBD™ algorithm. These updates dramatically enhance the accuracy of DNA Relatives predictions, in particular benefiting members with diverse ancestries.</p>



<p>Finally we recently launched Reconstructed Ancestors to 23andMe+ Premium <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/360013592713-23andMe-Beta-Testing-Program?_gl=1%2Aqni4iy%2A_ga%2ANjA0MDE5NzczLjE3NTE0NzQwNTA.%2A_ga_G330GF3ZFF%2AczE3NTU4ODE1NjQkbzUwJGcxJHQxNzU1ODgxNzAzJGo2MCRsMCRoMA.." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beta testers</a>. This early feature uses a highly advanced algorithm along with your DNA and the DNA from relatives on your Family Tree, to piece together the ancestry composition of ungenotyped parents, grandparents and eventually other ancestors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-year-of-insight-and-connection">A Year of Insight and Connection</h2>



<p>2025 gave us the opportunity to bring a wealth of new insights and features to our members, and the cycle of discovery isn’t slowing down thanks to the continued participation of our research community. As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited to push genetic science even further, expanding what’s possible and continuing to build a more inclusive, accurate, and empowering experience for everyone on their journey of self-discovery. The best is yet to come.</p>


23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

From Research to Real Insights: 23andMe’s New Product Features for 2025


<p>The invention of farming was one of the most transformative developments in human history. It didn’t happen just once — agriculture was independently invented in multiple locations across the globe beginning around 10,000 to 12,000 years ago, soon after the end of the last Ice Age. As farming spread, it reshaped human societies, diets, and even our DNA.</p>



<p>This month, we’re exploring how this transformation unfolded in ancient Britain by adding 18 ancient individuals who lived before and after the adoption of farming to the <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Matches</a><sup>SM</sup> feature — including one ancient individual whose name you might recognize: Cheddar Man.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-arrival-of-farming-to-ancient-britain">The Arrival of Farming to Ancient Britain</h2>



<p>For most of the last Ice Age, Britain — like much of northern Europe — was too cold and inhospitable for humans to live there year-round. As the climate warmed around 12,000 years ago, hunter-gatherer groups began to resettle the region. This period is known as the Mesolithic Period (10,000–4,000 BCE).</p>



<p>At that time, Britain was still connected to continental Europe by a vast, low-lying plain called Doggerland, which allowed people and animals to move freely between the two regions. Around 8,000 years ago, rising sea levels submerged Doggerland beneath the North Sea, leaving Britain — and nearby Ireland — geographically isolated from the rest of Europe.</p>



<p>Because of this isolation, the spread of farming, which began in southwestern Europe about 9,000 years ago, didn’t reach Britain until roughly 6,000 years ago. That arrival marks the start of the Neolithic period (4,000–2,500 BCE) — a time of sweeping change that reshaped diets, settlement patterns, and daily life across the islands.</p>



<p><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30988490/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">In 2019</a>, researchers published the genomes of six Mesolithic and sixteen Neolithic individuals from across Britain to understand how the shift to farming affected local populations. They wanted to know whether Britain’s first farmers were descendants of earlier Mesolithic hunter-gatherers, or newcomers who migrated from the continent.</p>



<p>The results supported the second scenario: the earliest farmers in Britain had genetic ancestry distinct from the earlier hunter-gatherers, and were instead most closely related to farming populations from the Aegean region. This finding suggests that agriculture arrived in Britain not by cultural diffusion, but through the migration of farming communities who largely replaced the local Mesolithic populations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-was-cheddar-man">Who was Cheddar Man?</h2>



<p>Perhaps the most famous individual included in the 2019 study was Cheddar Man, a Mesolithic hunter-gatherer whose nickname comes from where he was discovered — Cheddar Gorge in Somerset. He lived around 10,000 years ago, and his skeleton remains one of the oldest and most complete ever found in Britain.</p>



<p>Using 3D scans of his skull and genetic data extracted from his remains, researchers <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/cheddar-man-mesolithic-britain-blue-eyed-boy.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">created a facial reconstruction</a> showing that Cheddar Man likely had dark skin, dark curly hair, and blue eyes — a combination that was probably common among Mesolithic Europeans.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cheddar_Man_National_History_Museum_London-1024x683.jpg" alt="Cheddar Man reconstruction. Attribution:
Werner Ustorf, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0&gt;, via Wikimedia Commons" class="wp-image-34462" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cheddar_Man_National_History_Museum_London-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cheddar_Man_National_History_Museum_London-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cheddar_Man_National_History_Museum_London-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cheddar_Man_National_History_Museum_London-880x587.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cheddar_Man_National_History_Museum_London-1180x787.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>A reconstruction of Cheddar Man</em>. <em>Werner Ustorf, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CC BY-SA 2.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>These results challenged long-held assumptions about what the first inhabitants of Britain looked like and helped spark a broader conversation about how human populations in Europe — and their appearances — have changed over time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-reminder-of-why-we-need-to-present-scientific-findings-with-care">A Reminder of Why We Need to Present Scientific Findings with Care</h2>



<p>Cheddar Man’s DNA has made headlines before. In 1997, researchers at the University of Oxford extracted the first ancient DNA from his remains. This early analysis focused on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) — the small portion of the genome inherited only through the maternal line. They identified Cheddar Man’s mtDNA as belonging to haplogroup U5, later refined to the U5b1 sub-lineage. This maternal lineage was common among Mesolithic hunter-gatherers across Europe, highlighting Cheddar Man’s genetic connections to other post-Ice Age populations.</p>



<p>Although scientifically valid, the way this finding was presented to the public caused confusion. As part of a public engagement project, researchers compared Cheddar Man’s mtDNA to that of residents in the nearby village of Cheddar. One participant, a local schoolteacher, shared the same U5 haplogroup. This was reported as evidence of continuity between ancient and modern populations — and media outlets sensationalized it as proof that a “direct descendant” of Cheddar Man was living nearby.</p>



<p>In reality, that connection was likely extremely distant. The U5 haplogroup is ancient (emerging around 25,000–30,000 years ago) and widespread, found in roughly 5–12% of modern Europeans, meaning many unrelated people carry it by chance. Moreover, because mitochondrial DNA is passed only from mothers to children, it cannot be used to identify direct descendants of a male individual like Cheddar Man.</p>



<p>This story is a reminder of the importance of communicating genetic findings carefully. At 23andMe we search across your whole genome for places where you share identical DNA. Nevertheless, if Cheddar Man appears among your Historical Matches, it does not mean you are his direct descendant. Instead, it means you share a distant common ancestor somewhere in the past — possibly long before Cheddar Man lived — and inherited the same segment of DNA from that ancestor.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-more">Learn more</h2>



<p>Now that you know more about Cheddar Man — and what genetic analyses can (and cannot) tell you about your relationship to him — check out the Historical Matches feature (available to <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ members). You can see whether your DNA connects you with Cheddar Man or any of the other ancient individuals from across Britain highlighted this month — along with the hundreds of other historical people already included in the feature.</p>


Ancestry Service — Page 2