"British genes invasion proof"

80% of the average British male's genes can be traced back to a few hundred nomads who arrived after the ice age 14,000 years ago, according to new research.

(they had ginger hair)

And as a result wor lass takes the piss out of my stubble, which has a lovely hint of strawberry.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,8122-1641587,00.html

And we've known for nearly 200 years that the Celts came later.

Some of the genetic surveys are turning out to be fascinating. The genetic markers on one Syrian resident, i.e., Greek-speaking Byzantine, who died long before the Arab invasion was compared and found to be well within the norms for genetic marker variation in modern-day Syria.

Hindu Kush in Pakistan interesting. They alledgedly originate from Alexander's army.

Green and Blue eyes.

(I get a 404), and I can't get to the front page of the Times website either (for that I get nothing at all), though I can access past articles. Can anyone get to it?

and it's buried behind a subscription firewall that bugmenot will not get me past. The book is The Tribes of Britain, by David Miles.

Therefore, with all due humility, I suggest persuing the following egregious violation of copyright regulations--something that I can in no way countenance. Furthermore, may I add, I have absolutely no idea what the website is dedicated to (and think that I prefer my ignorance in this case to enlightenment):

http://www.britishspanking.com/forums/printthread.php?t=20625

A search within the page for "invasion" turns up the relevant text.


"David Miles, formerly chief archeologist at English Heritage, claims the other 20% of traits derive ultimately from the Celts, whom he argues were a Semitic race of farmers from what is now Syria and Israel.

These two waves of people expanded into a population of millions before further significant arrival of immigrants, such as the Vikings, who had little effect on the existing gene pool.

“Subsequent invasions like the Anglo-Saxons, the Romans and Normans had very little genetic impact. Their impact was largely cultural and linguistic,” said Miles. "

He seems to be asserting that the primary settlement of the British Isles was by agriculturalists as part of a wave of population spreading out from Anatolia. It would be interesting to see his data.

He appears to be opposing the invasion hypothesis, arguing that while small-scale incursions certainly did occur, technological learning and transfer were responsible for the majority of the change in British life.

His basis seems to be the relatively new use of genetic data (where available).

He doesn't appear to have a particular axe to grind about racial purity, indeed he appears to rejoice in his own 'mongrel' ethinicity.

to the printer-friendly one.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-534-1653983-534,00.html

though that review doesn't actually say much about genes, and certainly nothing about Anatolian or Syrian genes.

On edit: That was the true book review from last Sunday. The story link, from 2 weeks earlier, is:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-210-1641587-210,00.html



Miranda Richardson - fine (the queen in Blackadder II, for those who might not know). Chris Evans? The thought of him being a typical ancestor will send 99% of the country screaming from the room, denying it all. If he's the national archetype, I'm surprised the other nations didn't exterminate us completely a thousand years ago.

implanted a ruling class who's remnants, mixed with Germans still rule us. The Vikings set up mainly trading Towns (the biggest being Dublin) and frequently went home. And a series on BBC "blood of the vikings" survey of DNA from around the country didn't show any viking significance except Shetland.

I thought, however the Angles, Saxons, Jutes etc would have a significant influence. I thought it was their blonde mix with the dark haired celts that gave most of us our Mogrel apprearence.

(psst nobody tell the BNP)

(though sadly turning white now) Born and grew up in the Lake District, surrounded by evidence of Celtic - and Norse - settlements.

With the Gauls (ie Celts) there before the Romans conquered it (who left behind their language, and maybe genes too), and then the Franks, who were a Germanic people, taking the place over (enough to give it their name), you'd think they may have an interesting mix too. Plus there's the Normans (Vikings) in Normandy.

the Basque being, er basque. France was actually very difficult to unify and only 3 to 4 hundred years ago had about 10 different languages, and very distinct regions. Some based on ethnicity.