Fair enough, but this undermines the whole Khazar hypothethis, as the theory implies that it was a mass conversion of Turks with minimal to no Jewish ancestry!
I don't care about 'the theory' so much as the reality. Why would 90% have a connection to the four villages if that is not where they originated from? The four villages in the study were in NE Anatolia (Turkey) which was not in Khazaria on maps. They would have migrated to Khazaria.
AI Overview
A 2016 study traced the origins of Ashkenazi Jews and the Yiddish language to four villages in northeastern Turkey, near ancient trade routes, whose names may be derived from "Ashkenaz". These villages are located in the region of ancient Ashkenaz, which aligns with the area of the Greek Kingdom of Pontus. The study used Geographical Population Structure (GPS) analysis to localize the genomes of Ashkenazi Jews and found a strong connection to these specific villages.
The Villages:
The four villages in question are Iskenaz (or Eskenaz), Eskenez (or Eskens), Ashanas, and Aschuz.
GPS Analysis:
The study used GPS to analyze the genomes of Ashkenazi Jews, finding that a significant portion of their ancestry could be traced back to these villages.
Location:
These villages are situated in northeastern Turkey, along major ancient trade routes, particularly the Silk Road.
Ancient Ashkenaz:
The region where these villages are located is believed to be the ancient land of Ashkenaz, which is also mentioned in historical texts.
Implications:
This research suggests a different origin story for Ashkenazi Jews than the previously held belief of a Germanic origin. The study proposes that the ancestors of Ashkenazi Jews likely included populations from Greco-Roman and Irano-Turko-Slavic backgrounds who lived in this region.
Debate and Controversy:
While the study provides strong evidence, it has also sparked debate and some scholarly criticism, particularly regarding the implications for the Khazar hypothesis of Ashkenazi ancestry.
The 90% connection to the four villages is a hypothesis, not a proven fact. Reality requires critical examination of assumptions, and this claim lacks a specific genetic marker unique to those villages. Without such evidence, the 90% figure is speculative and unverifiable. Studies show 30-60% of Ashkenazi DNA ties to the Levant, supporting a Middle Eastern origin mixed with European ancestry. While the 90% figure might hint at a historical bottleneck, it overstates any direct link to those villages and conflicts with broader genetic evidence.
I have ancestry from the Levant and from not that far back. A relative's report said "Egypt and the Levant." I have no Hebrew ancestors I am pretty sure.
That 30-60% Levantine DNA is not small detail - it contradicts the narrative that we are disussing in this thread. Egypt and the Levant in your relative’s report could easily include Jewish roots, since Hebrews and other Levantine groups share genetic markers. You’re pretty sure about no Hebrew ancestors, but DNA doesn’t care about family lore. Ashkenazi or Sephardi ancestry often hides in those results, probably more so with Sephardi because of the Spanish Inquisition where there was mass conversion the other direction. If you see Spanish/Portuguese with a animal last name like Carneiro, Lobo, or Leão it could suggest a converso lineage, as such names often tied to nature or animals were typically adopted by Jews to assimilate into Catholic society.
Fair enough, but this undermines the whole Khazar hypothethis, as the theory implies that it was a mass conversion of Turks with minimal to no Jewish ancestry!
I don't care about 'the theory' so much as the reality. Why would 90% have a connection to the four villages if that is not where they originated from? The four villages in the study were in NE Anatolia (Turkey) which was not in Khazaria on maps. They would have migrated to Khazaria.
AI Overview A 2016 study traced the origins of Ashkenazi Jews and the Yiddish language to four villages in northeastern Turkey, near ancient trade routes, whose names may be derived from "Ashkenaz". These villages are located in the region of ancient Ashkenaz, which aligns with the area of the Greek Kingdom of Pontus. The study used Geographical Population Structure (GPS) analysis to localize the genomes of Ashkenazi Jews and found a strong connection to these specific villages.
The Villages: The four villages in question are Iskenaz (or Eskenaz), Eskenez (or Eskens), Ashanas, and Aschuz.
GPS Analysis: The study used GPS to analyze the genomes of Ashkenazi Jews, finding that a significant portion of their ancestry could be traced back to these villages. Location: These villages are situated in northeastern Turkey, along major ancient trade routes, particularly the Silk Road. Ancient Ashkenaz: The region where these villages are located is believed to be the ancient land of Ashkenaz, which is also mentioned in historical texts. Implications: This research suggests a different origin story for Ashkenazi Jews than the previously held belief of a Germanic origin. The study proposes that the ancestors of Ashkenazi Jews likely included populations from Greco-Roman and Irano-Turko-Slavic backgrounds who lived in this region. Debate and Controversy: While the study provides strong evidence, it has also sparked debate and some scholarly criticism, particularly regarding the implications for the Khazar hypothesis of Ashkenazi ancestry.
The 90% connection to the four villages is a hypothesis, not a proven fact. Reality requires critical examination of assumptions, and this claim lacks a specific genetic marker unique to those villages. Without such evidence, the 90% figure is speculative and unverifiable. Studies show 30-60% of Ashkenazi DNA ties to the Levant, supporting a Middle Eastern origin mixed with European ancestry. While the 90% figure might hint at a historical bottleneck, it overstates any direct link to those villages and conflicts with broader genetic evidence.
I have ancestry from the Levant and from not that far back. A relative's report said "Egypt and the Levant." I have no Hebrew ancestors I am pretty sure.
That 30-60% Levantine DNA is not small detail - it contradicts the narrative that we are disussing in this thread. Egypt and the Levant in your relative’s report could easily include Jewish roots, since Hebrews and other Levantine groups share genetic markers. You’re pretty sure about no Hebrew ancestors, but DNA doesn’t care about family lore. Ashkenazi or Sephardi ancestry often hides in those results, probably more so with Sephardi because of the Spanish Inquisition where there was mass conversion the other direction. If you see Spanish/Portuguese with a animal last name like Carneiro, Lobo, or Leão it could suggest a converso lineage, as such names often tied to nature or animals were typically adopted by Jews to assimilate into Catholic society.