Ancient DNA Reveals Origins of Indo-European Languages

Recent studies from Harvard University and the University of Vienna have revealed significant insights into the origins of the Indo-European language family through ancient DNA analysis. Researchers identified a previously unknown Caucasus-Lower Volga population that connects to all Indo-European-speaking groups and dated back between 6400-2000 BCE. This research supports the long-standing theory that the Yamnaya culture, originating from the Pontic-Caspian steppes, played a crucial role in spreading these languages across Europe and Central Asia. Notably, while the Yamnaya contributed significantly to European genetic makeup, the Anatolian branch of Indo-European languages, such as Hittite, appears to have descended from a distinct, earlier population with no direct Yamnaya ancestry. This new understanding challenges previous notions about the spread of these languages and highlights the complex migrations that shaped modern European genomes. The findings, published in the journal Nature, continue to spark debate among linguists about the exact origins and evolution of Indo-European languages.