Are one in 200 men alive today truly descendants of Genghis Khan?
New study challenges popular Genghis Khan narrative
- A new study challenges the popular belief that one in 200 modern men are descendants of Genghis Khan.
- Previous research from 2003 found a widespread Y-chromosome lineage, originating around 1,000 years ago in Mongolia, which could have been attributed to the Mongol conqueror.
- Archaeologists analysed ancient DNA from ruling elites of the Golden Horde in Kazakhstan, an empire extension founded by Khan's eldest son, Joshi.
- The findings indicate that the common Y-chromosome lineage seen today likely appeared 1,000 years before Khan built his empire and may not represent his direct descendants.
- Researchers said that definitive conclusions about Khan's direct lineage cannot be made until his secretly buried, unmarked grave is discovered.
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