Origin of Indo-Europeans Found -- Lower Volga

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The recent discovery of Yamnaya DNA in the Lower Volga region provides concrete evidence for the origin of the Indo-European language family, challenging previous assumptions that placed their roots north of the Caucasus. This genetic evidence contradicts 19th-century myths surrounding the concept of "Aryans," revealing a complex history of migration and genetic mixing. Dr. Reich emphasizes that the notion of purity in ancient populations is a myth, as studies show diverse ancestries and adaptations, such as lighter skin and lactose tolerance, that evolved in response to environmental factors. The discussion also references Kevin MacLean's educational content on Proto-Indo-Europeans, which explores their spread across Europe and Asia.

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Hornbein
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It has long been supposed that the origin of the Indo-European group was north of the Caucasus. Now we have physical evidence thereof.
https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/st...ndo-european-languages-spoken-by-40-of-world/

Traces of Yamnaya DNA are found wherever Indo-European languages are spoken. The homeland of the Yamnaya was located by matching with ancient DNA retrieved from graves in the Lower Volga region.

Are these the Aryans?
 
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Hornbein said:
Are these the Aryans?
Probably not as 19th Century linguists promulgated the Aryan myth. As myth, though, "Aryans" may take on any chacteristics deemed worthy by the mythmakers.

This article from NYT describes new DNA evidence in comparison to current linguistic developments. As for Aryans:

As the Indo-European debate advances, one thing is clear: Our understanding of its history now stands in stark contrast to the racist myths that once surrounded it. Nineteenth-century linguists called the original speakers of Indo-European Aryans, and some writers later pushed the notion that ancient Aryans were a superior race. ...

But Dr. Reich said that studies on ancient DNA show just how bankrupt these Aryan stories were. “There’s all sorts of mixtures and movements from places that these myths never imagined,” he said. “And it really teaches us that there’s really no such thing as purity.”
 
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What’s interesting is whether the Yamnaya brought the genes for white skin and lactose tolerance. Europeans 8000 years ago were dark-skinned but lighter skin allows greater vitamin D absorption in colder climates (so I guess in that way it’s superior). Lactose tolerance confers an obvious advantage after the domestication of animals

https://www.science.org/content/article/how-europeans-evolved-white-skin
 
Kevin MacLean attempts to answer the question, Who Were the Proto-Indo-Europeans? On his Youtube channel (Fortress of Lugh), he produces videos on ancient cultures and languages. Fortress of Lugh was a TV program produced in England and aired in 2017.




A captivating overview of the origins and characteristics of the Proto-Indo-Europeans, as well as theories regarding how they managed to spread through Europe and Asia. A new theory of the origins of the language released in July 2023 is also discussed and challenged. 00:00 - Intro02:19 - Discovery of Indo-European07:37 - Origins of the Indo-Europeans12:33 - Forest to Steppe16:37 - The Early Steppe22:16 - The Yamnaya & Corded Ware35:13 - The Caucasus Hunter Gatherers and the New Indo-European origin theory

One site claims, "Kevin MacLean has an educational background in Greek, Celtic and Roman history, archaeology, languages and philosophy and a passion for undergoing intense and independent research to shed new light on ancient ideas while deepening appreciation for ancient and living cultures." However I have not found any authentic academic CV. Nevertheless he provides an interesting perspective.

One has to look at the migrations of peoples out of Africa to the north into Europe through the Balkans and western side of the Baltic, through the Caucasus and through southern Asia, what is not Iran, Paksitan and India.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_human_migrations
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-modern_human_migration

See also - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeogenetics



A perspective on the Irish and migration of 'Celts' from W Europe into the British Isles around 2500 BC, or about 4500 years ago. The Neolithic period in the British Isles lasted from c. 4100 to c. 2,500 BC.[1] Constituting the final stage of the Stone Age in the region, it was preceded by the Mesolithic and followed by the Bronze Age. Ref on neolithic England - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolithic_British_Isles. And there were subsequent migrations into what is now Ireland.


 
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In my recent visit to Portugal I saw many who appeared to be Celts. Kinky red hair and freckles. Sure enough, I read that

Early in the first millennium BC, waves of Celts invaded Portugal from Central Europe and inter-married with the local populations, forming different tribes.

Others could have been from Lebanon or Cyprus.
 

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