The skeleton of a mistress holding 1,600 years is a man

Test results of tooth enamel protein indicate that two sets of ancient remains known as Modena Mistress are actually male.

Archaeologists call the two skeletons dating from the fifth century to lovers as the dead are buried in a holding position in a cemetery near the city of Modena in northern Italy. Since its discovery in 2009, researchers assumed that it was a man and a woman buried in the same grave, possibly a couple, but the skeleton's condition made them uncertain. Now, a new technique based on tooth enamel protein has revealed their gender.

The Modena Mistress's Skeleton.(Photo: AFP).

The team in Italy concluded that the remains of the two men and their posture of holding hands were deliberately arranged, according to a report published on September 11 in Scientific Reports. Although the exact relationship between the two individuals is unknown, the researchers speculate that they may be relatives, soldiers or even mistresses.

"At present, there is no grave buried like this," said Federico Lugli, a study author at the University of Bologna . "In the past, several graves contained the remains of two people dead in hand-to-hand position, but all were a man and a woman."

While it is unlikely that the two men are lovers, the social attitude of the community at the time governed by Christian regulations and the burial will not seek to highlight the relationship between the two dead."At the end of ancient times, homosexual love may not have been clearly realized by burials. Because of two individuals of the same age, they may be related as siblings." as soldiers who died together in battle, " Lugli explained.

In the study, Italian scientists applied advanced techniques, including taking proteins from the enamel of two dead teeth. The test focused on two proteins called AMELY, which are unique to men and AMELX for both sexes. Protein analysis indicated that both men were male.

The team concludes that tombs are important in helping to understand burial customs in post-ancient Italy. Research demonstrates new techniques can help many relevant fields.

1. Eternal kiss of couple for 2,800 years
2. The couple held hands for 5,000 years in the tomb