Calabrian Cave DNA Reveals Europe’s Oldest Father–Daughter Birth Case
DNA analysis of remains from Grotta della Monaca in Calabria uncovers a 3,700-year-old case of a child born to a father–daughter pair, the earliest such instance confirmed in prehistoric Europe. The population shows strong links to Early Bronze Age Sicily and some movement to northeastern Italy, indicating wider regional networks despite the site’s remote location. Interestingly, most adults lacked the lactase-persistence gene, yet dairy was regularly consumed—likely via yogurt or cheese—demonstrating culturally driven dietary adaptation before genetic changes.
