The DNA of Emperor Zhou Wu: Discovering a Clue to Ancient Chinese Populations and Debunking Historical Conspiracy Theories

In 1996, the remains of Emperor Zhou Wu were discovered, and scientists were able to extract DNA from nearly complete skull. This DNA was used to recreate his portrait, shedding light on his appearance and ancestry. The research, published in Current Biology, revealed that Emperor Wu of Zhou had brown eyes, black hair, and dark skin, characteristics typical of people from North Asia and East Asia today. Additionally, the study confirmed that he belonged to the Xianbei nomadic people, who migrated from southern to northern China, mixing with the local Han people.

Emperor Zhou Wu ruled under the Northern Zhou Dynasty in the 6th century. He played a crucial role in unifying northern China after defeating the Northern Dynasty Qi. Despite his accomplishments, his early death at the age of 36 has long been a subject of debate among historians. Some suggest that he may have been poisoned by his enemies while others believe he fell victim to an unknown illness.

However, new DNA analysis suggests that he most likely died from complications of stroke, consistent with historical accounts of his health issues.

The research team led by Pianpian Wei and Shaoqing Wen from Fudan University in Shanghai plans to continue their analysis by examining the remains of individuals who once lived in Chang’an. Chang’an served as the capital for many Chinese emperors and was located at the eastern end of the Silk Road, an important trade route that connected East and West for centuries. By studying the genetic makeup of individuals from this region, researchers hope to gain further insights into the history and diversity of ancient populations in Eurasia.

Overall, this study provides valuable information about Emperor Zhou Wu’s ancestry and cause of death as well as shedding light on ancient populations in Eurasia through genetic analysis.