3700-Year-Old Skeleton Reveals Shocking Father-Daughter Incest in Italian Cave

• Scientists found 3700-year-old skeletons in Italy's Grotta della Monaca cave, dating back to the Bronze Age (1780-1380 BCE).
• DNA analysis of an adolescent boy's remains revealed he was the offspring of a father-daughter relationship, marking the oldest known case of first-degree incest.
• The boy's DNA showed exceptionally high 'Runs of Homozygosity' (ROH), confirming the close genetic relationship between his parents.
• Despite the high genetic risk, the boy showed no signs of serious genetic diseases, a surprising finding for such a relationship.
• Researchers are puzzled by the reasons behind this act, speculating it could be a social ritual or a non-consensual event, as the community wasn't isolated.

Why It Matters: Ancient DNA reveals the oldest known father-daughter incest, challenging historical social norms.