800-year-old mummy DNA test to find relatives

Russian scientists hope to identify blood relatives of a mummy of 800 years ago, found near the Arctic Circle.

Testing of DNA samples for people from at least three native Siberian populations will take place over the next few weeks.

800-year-old boy mummy.

It will then compare with the DNA of the mummy a boy about 6-7 years old from the Middle Ages. This mummy was found in an ancient graveyard near Salekhard town.

The mummy is surrounded by a birch bark and copper, along with the permafrost has inadvertently preserved his body well over hundreds of years. Interestingly, the gut analysis showed that the boy had been suffering from helminths.

Scientists are studying mummies.

Professor Petr Slominsky - Head of the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Moscow Institute of Molecular Genetics, said:

"In June, we will go to areas near Zeleny Yar to collect DNA samples from indigenous people, trying to find genetic connections between them and the Middle Ages who used to live here. We will DNA testing with Khanty residents, Nenet and a separate group of Komi people near Lake Muzhi ".

Although it is difficult, scientists believe they will get enough quality DNA samples from the mummy to test.

Scientists want to determine who the boy belongs to.

"First, we will test mitochondrial DNA to determine maternal blood flow. Then analyze the nucleus of DNA to find the origin of the father," said Slominsky.

This mummy was found in an ancient graveyard near Salekhard town.

Scientists want to determine who the boy belongs to. According to archaeological evidence from the bronze bowls found in this area, groups of people living in the Arctic Circle may have links with Persians nearly 6,000 kilometers southwest.

However, they hope the mummy DNA test will show contact with the Siberians today.

Scientists will cut the face and skull bones, then reconstruct the face.

In addition to DNA testing, the mummy's face restoring is also carried out by Korean experts. They will cut the face and skull bones, then reconstruct the face.

Earlier, archaeologists also found 34 shallow medieval tombs in the area, of which 11 were broken or lost their heads and damaged bones.