Whole-Genome Study Challenges Herodotus on Armenian Origins
A new whole-genome study has debunked the long-held belief that Armenians are descendants of Phrygian settlers from the Balkans, a theory largely based on Herodotus' accounts and linguistic ties. The research, published in the American Journal of Human Genetics, found no significant genetic link between Armenians and Balkan populations. It also disproved claims of Assyrian ancestry for the Sasun, an Armenian group. The study highlights a genetic input from Neolithic Levantine farmers and reveals a high level of genetic similarity among different Armenian groups.
