Expert: Ralph Salier - 3/6/2010

Question
Were the ancient Sumerians genetically related more to Europeans or more to modern middle eastern people?

Answer
Hi Tim,  

If I understand it correctly and this is NOT an area of in depth expertise for me, the Haplotype J2 originated in northern Iraq and is common for the peoples of this region.  The area of Northern Iraq and the Caucus mountains do contain a early modern human population that may be the progenitors for this general population group that has grown into the peoples of this region.  So, they are part of the progenitor population of the peoples of the modern middle east.  Please understand however, that the modern populations of this region also contain peoples of south eastern Europe (Greeks and Macedonians), peoples from the East (Indians, Roma and others) and peoples from the North (Mongols, Scthians and others) who have long invaded this region and admixed with the local populations.  

I hope this makes sense.