2026年7月16日，丹麦哥本哈根大学Hannes Schroeder研究团队在《科学》杂志发表论文，宣布他们发现了追寻圣赫勒拿岛上被解放的非洲人的起源。

结合更广泛的社区领导的纪念工作，该课题组研究人员分析了152个人的牙釉质锶同位素（87Sr/86Sr）数据，包括高分辨率的牙内剖面，以确定可能的起源并推断登船前的强迫运动。基于等高线的概率分配，结合历史证据和已发表的古代DNA数据，限制了从非洲中部沿海地区到遥远内陆地区的家园，揭示了长途迁徙，有时从童年开始。通过细化来源，这些数据为当地有关护理和可能遣返的决策提供了信息，突出了返回的复杂性，并最终支持在圣赫勒拿岛重新安葬。

据了解，19世纪中期，圣赫勒拿岛成为英国皇家海军从非法奴隶船上“解放”非洲人的主要接收站。在登陆的约27,000人中，约8000人在抵达后不久死亡并在当地埋葬。

附：英文原文

Title: Tracing the origins of St Helena’s liberated Africans

Author: Xueye Wang, Judy Watson, Helena Bennett, Andrew Pearson, Geoff M. Nowell, Joanne Peterkin, Kate Robson Brown, Alistair Pike, Jason Laffoon, Vicky M. Oelze, Hannes Schroeder

Issue&Volume: 2026-07-16

Abstract: In the mid-19th century, St Helena became a key receiving point for Africans “liberated” from illegal slave ships by the British Royal Navy. Of the ~27,000 landed, ~8000 died soon after arrival and were buried locally. In connection with a broader community-led commemorative effort, we analyzed tooth enamel strontium isotope (87Sr/86Sr) data for 152 individuals, including high-resolution intratooth profiles, to identify likely origins and infer forced movements before embarkation. Isoscape-based probabilistic assignment, integrated with historical evidence and published ancient DNA data, constrains homelands ranging from coastal Central Africa to far inland areas, revealing long-distance movements, sometimes beginning in childhood. By refining provenance, these data informed local decisions about care and potential repatriation, highlighting the complexities of return and ultimately supporting reburial on St Helena.

DOI: aeb3661

Source: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aeb3661

期刊信息

Science：《科学》，创刊于1880年。隶属于美国科学促进会，最新IF：63.714

官方网址：https://www.sciencemag.org/

投稿链接：https://cts.sciencemag.org/scc/#/login