A recent study led by researchers from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) has revealed that the genetic identity of the Iberian people in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula remained largely unchanged for six centuries, from the Early Iron Age until the onset of Roman influence. The research, published in the journal iScience, analyzed the genomes of 54 newborns buried across three archaeological sites, providing a comprehensive view of the genetic history of these communities. The findings indicate that the Iberians evolved from local Bronze Age populations without significant external genetic changes until the Romans introduced new influences. Despite expected external impacts from Mediterranean cultures like the Phoenicians and Greeks, the study found a surprising degree of genetic continuity. This challenges previous assumptions of mass migration as a driver of cultural change, instead suggesting that Iberian culture emerged organically from pre-existing populations. The research also highlights the importance of genetic studies in understanding historical and cultural transformations, showing that these changes often occur gradually rather than abruptly.