Analysis of Scottish DNA reveals historic ethnic clusters


(Above image is capture of a Scotland map illustrating the ethnic regions discussed below.)

This evening, I am posting information sourced from an article in yesterday's Times newspaper which reports an academic study confirming that Scotland's constituent ethnic clusters have effectively remained undisturbed from the period AD 500- AD1000 which was known as the 'Dark Ages'.

In essence, Scotland is divided into six main clusters of people each of which has a discrete gene pool, viz:
(# Northern Isles)

The above groupings roughly correlate with known regional kingdoms of the time, viz:
  • Strathclyde ( S.W. Scotland)
Lasted for 400 years, stretching from capital at Dumbarton near Glasgow into N.W. England.
  • Pictland ( N.E.)
 The Picts were a loose confederation of celtic people, probably speaking a Brittonic (Welsh) language. This grouping occupied territory north of  a line between modern-day Glasgow and Edinburgh which lasted until the 9th century.
  • Gododdin 
 ( S.E. stretching from Stirling through the Scottish Borders region into northern England near modern-day Newcastle.

The study was based on the genetic make-up of 1000 people from Scotland whose grandparents or great-grandparents were born within 50 miles of each other. DNA from this sample was compared with DNA of persons who lived thousands of years ago.

Analysis points to underlying population inertia with majority of people marrying locally and thus preserving their genetic identity.

Orkney and Shetland have the highest levels of Norwegian ancestry outside of Scandinavia, which is not surprising as the islands were ceded from Norway to Scotland as recently as 1472.

The study adverted to above was funded by the Medical Research Council, Science Foundation Ireland and the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Executive. It is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the U.S.A.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reconstructed Roman Villa

Image
This evening, I am reporting on my visit earlier today to a meticulously reconstructed Roman Villa in Somerset, England.   Funding for the project was provided by a South African billionaire. Specific features of the reconstruction project which is known as 'Villa Ventorum': Employed hundreds of architects, builders, archaelogists, mosaic makers, fresco painters and experts on ancient plumbing. The new build was built close to the remains of the original villa which dates from AD351. Incorporates the only working hypocaust system in Europe to create authentic Roman underfloor heating. Thne system also provides heating for the internal baths. Designed to appear to visitors as though still in use. Mosaics and frescoes have been made below the top standards of the time (e.g. Chedworth ) to reflect the social rank of the resident family. Incorporates a Roman 'fast food bar' allong the lines of that found in Pompeii . (Core of above information sourced from the Times newspap
Read more

Glen Quaich, one of Scotland's best backroads tour routes

Image
This afternoon, I am reporting the route of Glen Quaich in Central Scotland. This is a scenic, single track road which is usually closed to traffic in winter. The route covers about twelve miles and runs between the villages of Amulree and Kenmore on the northern tip of Loch Tay in Perthshire. Depending on time of year it is possible to encounter low lying snow, many sheep, grouse and other exceptional opportunities for photography. Incidentally, Quaich means a drinking cup. In a certain place the landscape is shaped like a bowl. Glen Quaich, Perthshire, Scotland Glen Quaich Black Grouse at Glen Quaich Here are a couple of video clips.
Read more

Fort Augustus, a popular visitor site on southern tip of Loch Ness

Image
Loch Ness from flight of locks at Fort Augustus, Scottish Highlands This evening, I am posting information on Fort Augustus, a busy tourist village on the southern tip of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. Summary information on Fort Augustus as follows:- Population about 650 persons. Distance, about 160 miles from Edinburgh and 35 miles from Inverness entailing journey times of 3.5 hours and 1 hour respectively. Well endowed with hotels and other accommodation plus shops, restaurants and visitor attractions. From here visitors can avail of boat trips on Loch Ness. Home to an impressive flight of five locks on the Caledonian Canal. Latter dates from 1822 and is now primarily used by pleasure boats. Closely linked with the 18th century Jacobite uprising in that (a) the village was renamed Fort Augustus (after Prince William Augustus, third son of King George II) consequent upon construction of a British military (redcoat) fort in 1742 and (b) the same Prince
Read more