A study of ancient DNA from graves in Bulgaria shows that the Goths were a multi-ethnic group with ancestries from Scandinavia, Turkey, North Africa and beyond. This finding challenges the traditional view of Goths as primarily Scandinavian migrants moving south. The research sequenced genomes from 38 individuals at two sites dating to the 4th century AD.
Researchers led by Svetoslav Stamov at the National Museum of History in Bulgaria analyzed DNA from 38 people buried at two sites identified as Gothic through beads, jewellery, burial practices and skull modifications. One site, near the Aul of Khan Omurtag, was a necropolis from about AD 350 to 489, possibly linked to Gothic bishop Wulfila or Ulfilas. The other, Aquae Calidae, dates to AD 320-375 and features artificial skull deformation atypical for Romans, indicating a different culture despite its origins as a Roman healing centre and bath house. Both groups displayed diverse ancestries, including from Scandinavia, the Caucasus, the Levant, Anatolia (modern Turkey), East Asia (modern Mongolia), Egypt and sub-Saharan Africa. Stamov noted, “It’s an extremely diverse community.” The diversity may relate to Arianism, an early form of Christianity described by team member Todor Chobanov as “very welcoming to anybody.” Goths lived in eastern Europe from at least the 3rd century AD near Roman frontiers, sometimes allying with and sometimes fighting the empire; Visigoths sacked Rome in AD 410. James Harland at the University of Bonn praised the ideas of Gothic complexity but cautioned that 38 genomes may not suffice for robust sampling and artefacts do not reliably indicate ethnicity. He suggested Roman interactions helped form Gothic identity, a view echoed by Chobanov on influences like clothing and pottery styles. The preprint is on bioRxiv (DOI: 10.64898/2026.03.03.709317).
