Late Roman Life on Hvar Island: A Grave Tale of Ancient Croatia

A time when the Roman Empire was crumbling, and the tiny island of Hvar in Croatia was a bustling trade hub. Between the 3rd and 5th centuries CE, people were buried in a site called Hvar - Radošević. This graveyard tells us a lot about who these people were and how they lived. Out of 33 individuals, 17 were buried in a single tomb, while the rest were spread out nearby. Scientists studied their DNA and diet to understand their ancestry and lifestyle. Turns out, these folks had diverse backgrounds, showing the island's connection to far-off lands. They mainly ate plants, not seafood, which was surprising for an island. Life wasn't easy; many kids died young, and adults had health issues. Interestingly, there wasn't much difference between those buried together and those scattered about, suggesting everyone was treated equally in death.