Study Reveals Genetic and Linguistic Roots of Indo-European Populations
A comprehensive study involving 91 researchers, including Eske Willerslev from the Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Center at the University of Copenhagen, has provided critical insights into the genetic and linguistic origins of Indo-European populations. The findings, identify two significant migrations during the Bronze Age that contributed to the spread of steppe ancestry across the Mediterranean. The genetic research links Spanish, French and Italian populations to Bell Beaker ancestry, while Greek and Armenian populations have been connected directly to Yamnaya ancestry from the Pontic Steppe region.Analyses of Steppe Ancestry DistributionAccording to the study published on the preprint server bioRxiv, steppe ancestry in Western Europe is attributed to Bell Beaker populations, who combined their genetic profile with local Neolithic farmers. These migrations align with linguistic theories suggesting a shared origin for Italo-Celtic languages. In contrast, Greek and Armenian ancestry reflects direct Yamnaya influence, with no significant local admixture. This divergence between Eastern and Western Mediterranean populations aligns with the Italo-Celtic and Graeco-Armenian linguistic hypotheses.Genomic and Strontium Isotope StudiesAs per reports, the study sequenced 314 ancient genomes dated between 2,100 and 5,200 years ago from regions including Spain, Italy, Greece , and Turkey. A total dataset of 2,403 genomes was analyzed, alongside 224 strontium isotope assessments to trace human mobility. Results showed active migration patterns during the Bronze Age, with non-local individuals identified in Greece, Cyprus and Italy. A notable finding was a Scandinavian individual in Cyprus, suggesting Mediterranean trade routes extended far beyond local boundaries.Implications for Linguistic Migration ModelsThese findings substantiate linguistic theories connecting Italic and Celtic languages to Bell Beaker ancestry and Greek and Armenian languages to Yamnaya ancestry. The research contradicts alternative hypotheses, including Indo-Greek and Italo-Germanic models. This study provides a clearer understanding of the genetic and linguistic history of Indo-European populations, offering a vital reference for future investigations into ancient human migrations For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Nvidia Executive Claims AI-Powered Robots in the Future Will Be Trained on Simulation, Share a Hive Mind Samsung’s Galaxy Ring 2 May Show Up Alongside Galaxy S25 Series at the Upcoming Unpacked Event