From the Bourbon Cadaster to Genomics. Digital platforms and interdisciplinarity: the project “We Are What They Were” of Riposto

Abstract

The Mediterranean, conceptualized by Braudel as a “liquid continent”, is shaped by its peoples, cultures, and economies over time. Today, genetic research, through an interdisciplinary approach, redefines this continent by bridging History and Biological Sciences. The We Are What They Were project undertakes the historical reconstruction of the Riposto community during the 17th and 18th centuries by intertwining primary sources and genomic data, culminating in the creation of a web portal. This study emphasizes the strategic use of genealogical approaches and genetic analysis as tools for community description, focusing on the Y chromosome analysis of the “Sorbello” surname from Riposto. This analysis establishes a methodology that interconnects historical data and information, aiming to explain community structures crucial for describing Europe and the Mediterranean in the modern age. This project exemplifies the integration of digital platforms and interdisciplinarity in historical and genetic research, offering new insights into the complex interplay of Genetics, History, and community identity.