Archaeologists in northern Spain have discovered the remains of a medieval society that lived underground for centuries. The skeletons show signs of disease, inbreeding, and conflict, indicating a community isolated from the outside world.
Las Gobas, a series of natural rock caves, housed this society from the 7th to the 11th centuries. Researchers have started exploring this forgotten site, uncovering the harsh and often violent conditions these people endured.
A study in the journal Science Advances revealed that 33 skeletons were found at the site. About 63% showed signs of inbreeding, suggesting the community had limited contact with outsiders, leading to poor genetic diversity and health issues.
Ricardo Rodríguez Varela, an expert in paleogenetics, noted the community’s isolation, with low levels of North African and Middle Eastern ancestry, even after the Islamic conquest of Iberia. Evidence of fractures and wounds from swords suggests frequent internal conflicts.
The skeletons also contained traces of smallpox, a deadly disease that affected many European populations in medieval times. The disease likely spread through contaminated pork, a key food source, and easily infected the isolated community without external medical aid.
By the end of the 11th century, Las Gobas was abandoned. The reasons are not entirely clear, but scholars believe resource shortages, disease, and perhaps external pressures like invasions played a role. When the site was deserted, many burials had already taken place inside the caves.
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