The Romans and Vikings left few genetic traces of their occupations of Britain, research suggests
Research indicates that the Romans and Vikings had minimal genetic impact on the British population during their occupations. In contrast, the Anglo-Saxons significantly influenced the genetic makeup of Britons. The study suggests that native Britons interbred more with Anglo-Saxons than with Romans.
- ▪The Romans occupied Britain for nearly 400 years but left little genetic evidence of their presence.
- ▪Roman DNA accounted for only about 20% of the genetic profile of individuals buried in Britain during the Roman era.
- ▪In the Anglo-Saxon era, DNA from Germanic sources made up about 70% of the genetics of people buried in Britain.
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Archaeology Romans The Romans and Vikings left few genetic traces of their occupations of Britain, research suggests Despite their occupations of Britain, the Romans and Vikings didn't leave much of a genetic mark on Britons. The Anglo-Saxons, though, were a different story. By Tom Metcalfe published 27 May 2026 in News When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Despite its nearly 400-year-long occupation of Britain, which included founding the English city of Bath (pictured here), the Romans left a relatively small genetic imprint on the British people.
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