User:Nickhe1131/Songo Mnara

Ancient DNA Evidence
A 2023 study by Brielle et al used excavated remains from the archaeological site to analyze DNA patterns as a part of a larger project to track foreign mixture of DNA along the Swahili Coast. Ancient DNA analysis was completed in human remains of 7 Songo Mnara individuals in order to determine the proportions of "African-like, Persian-like, and Indian-like" DNA sequences. However, archaeologists and geneticists were unable to produce solid data for many of the Songo Mnara individuals. Analysis of the DNA showed that at least 1 Songo Mnara individual fitting within a 3-region Indian, Persian, and ancient African DNA model. Enough DNA evidence was available that was indicative of Persian ancestry. However, a larger number of samples and "higher quality data" would have increased the amount of conclusions able to be drawn from this site.

The introduction of foreign DNA was estimated to have occurred between 708-1219 AD. However, the authors indicate that this likely occurred over "multiple generations" and that mixture of Eurasian and African populations has continually occurred since. These results are consistent to the histories told through the Kilwa Chronicle.