A recent study conducted by a researcher from the Université de Montréal suggests that intermingling between European settlers and indigenous and Afro-descendant populations in Montreal during the 17th and 18th centuries might not have been as common as previously thought.
The study analyzed the ancient DNA of 45 individuals buried in Notre-Dame Cemetery between 1683 and 1796, revealing that all of them were of European origin, predominantly French, with one exception of Italian descent.
Diane Martin-Moya, a visiting researcher at UdeM, noted the significance of the excavation at Notre-Dame Cemetery, providing insights into the early French Canadian settlers who helped build the colony of Montreal.
By comparing the DNA samples with reference panels from Europe, West Africa, and indigenous groups in the Americas, the study found a lack of diversity among the analyzed individuals, challenging the narrative of a mixed-race founding population in Montreal.
While acknowledging the limitations of the study, Martin-Moya emphasized the importance of delving deeper into historical contexts and not jumping to conclusions based on limited evidence.
The analysis also revealed how social inequalities shaped the colonial urban cemetery, with the wealthiest individuals securing better burial positions and others facing challenges due to urban development.
Overall, the study sheds light on the colonial inequalities of early Montreal and was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
