Our findings indicate that this community stayed relatively isolated for at least five centuries. Although Las Gobas was just north of Islamic rule, we found relatively low levels of North African and Middle Eastern ancestry compared to other medieval individuals from the Iberian Peninsula, and we did not observe a significant increase in these ancestries after the Islamic conquest of Iberia.
The study also identified the variola virus in the remains, which potentially explains the spread of smallpox into Iberia. This finding may alter our understanding of disease transmission during this historical period, highlighting how local communities interacted with pathogens.
The unique location of Las Gobas, on the border of Christian kingdoms and Islamic territories, created a distinctive social environment that has not been fully appreciated in previous historical narratives. It emphasizes the complexity of cultural and genetic exchanges in medieval Spain.
Despite the significant human mobility across the Iberian Peninsula during its time, the community remained isolated and maintained its traditions, providing a rare glimpse into how small, secluded populations adapt to their environments.
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