Magyar News, 2006. január-május (17. évfolyam, 1-5. szám)
2006-03-01 / 3. szám
How Hungarian Are You? Robert Kranyik, Ph.D. The author points to the region on the Genographic map where humans settled in the Russian steppes before moving East to the orient and North America, and west into Europe. Recently I spent a good-deal of time tracing my Hungarian ancestry. My grandparents were all bom in Hungary, so that really makes me Hungarian, right? I was surprised to learn that, in fact, a variety of nationalities and cultures may lurk in my background. It appears that many Hungarians are the descendants not only of Magyars, but of the many peoples who have moved across Hungary over the past a thousand years, peoples who have migrated to Hungary for one or another reason, or even descendants of people who lived in the Carpathian basin before the Magyars arrived. If, like me, you were able to trace your Hungarian past back a few generations before running out of written records, but yearn to know more about where your ancestors came from in the deeper past, the Genographic Project may be of interest to you. Sponsored by the National Geographic Society, IBM and the Waitt Family Foundation. The Genographic Project is a scientific study of human migration across the globe. The project focuses on long term migrations of the human species since the first homo sapiens left Africa. Through the use of genetic markers in a broad spectrum of DNA samples, it will be possible to map the travels of the human race across the continents over a period of many thousands of years. Dr. Spencer Wells, a genetic paleontologist, and head of the project, has said that "The greatest history book ever written is the one hidden in our DNA". It has already become clear, based on the study of both Y chromosomes (which trace male lineage) and Mitrochondrial DNA (which traces female lineage), that the first humans came out of Africa some 50,000 years ago, and began a long journey to settle in many parts of the earth. Early groups traveled along the shores of the Indian Ocean, and eventually settled in Australia, where they are now known as the Aborigines. Large migrations headed northeast into the steppes of what is now Russia, pursuing game which followed the receding glaciers. Part of that group headed east, settling Asia and the Americas. Another part of that group continued north and west, eventually settling in northern Russia and Europe. Other groups moved directly across what is now Iraq and Iran, then turning east to Asia and west to Europe. Given the intriguing history of the Magyars - as a Uralic people, with possible roots in ancient Iraq or Persia, and according to some scientists, ties to western China along the Silk Road- genetic evidence of this distant past could be mighty interesting. And, of course, evidence of the many other groups who in the distant past were ancestors of people who settled in Hungary can help clarify the picture of who we are, based upon those who lived up to 10,000 years ago, and some of whose genes we carry. These included the Ruthenians, or Carpatho Rusyns, a Slavic people of Russian origin who lived in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains hundreds of years before the first Magyars arrived in the Carpathian Basin. We know that in the 11th Century, French knights, nobles, and friars settled in Hungary. There there were the Germans, the Austrians, Slavs, and other Europeans who were invited in by Hungarian leaders after the decimation of the Magyar population by Muslim invaders, to settle lands that had been laid waste. There were Italian immigrants who came over centuries, using their skills to build churches, roads, and public buildings throughout Hungary. And, there were in Budapest, and in most towns and villages, Jewish people who had migrated to Hungary and participated in the commercial and cultural life of their adopted country. Given the variety of peoples who have settled in the land of the Magyars, seeking out one's Hungarian roots can be challenging and complex. Perhaps the Genographic Project can shed some light on our long term backgrounds. The project will not tell you who your specific ancestors were, but can provide you with some information about the ancient human groups who are part of your ancestry. Participation involves you in taking two DNA samples from inside your cheeks, and mailing these to project officials. The process is painless, and significant efforts have been made to keep your DNA sample confidential. In addition to the sample kit, you will receive an interesting DVD about the project and a colorful map summarizing what we now know about world-wide human migration. The cost comes to about $ 107.00 per person. You can obtain more information from the National Geographic website on the Internet, by finding www.nationalgeographic.com/genographic The map shows some of the major migratory routes across the world in the long term Page 6
