Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT

Ancient DNA reveals the roots of the Biblical Philistines

Bones found in the Philistine city of Ashkelon and dating to the twelfth century bc hint at European heritage.
Excavation of the Philistine Cemetery at Ashkelon.

Skeletons excavated from a cemetery (above) in ancient Ashkelon helped to trace the genetic history of the Philistines. Credit: Melissa Aja/Leon Levy Expedition to Ashkelon

The Philistines appear repeatedly in the Bible, but their origins have long been mysterious. Now genetic evidence suggests that this ancient people trace some of their ancestry west all the way to Europe.

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Learn more

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Nature 571, 149 (2019)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-019-02081-x

References

Subjects

Latest on:

Nature Careers

Jobs

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing

Search

Advanced search

Quick links