The young science of archaeogenetics has been used to settle a long-standing controversy -- the origin of Europe's Ashkenazi Jews. Are they principally descended from forbears who migrated from Palestine in the first century AD? Or were their ancestors Europeans who converted to Judaism?
A new article in the leading journal Nature Communications claims to have settled the question. Analysis of DNA samples has shown that on the female line, the Ashkenazim are descended not from the Near East but from southern and western Europe.
There will probably be a lot of controversy about this, as this hammers the myth of matrilineal descent.
Interesting to observe the arguments and changes in opinion, as new data emerged, about Otzi, the 5000 year old hunter from the Italian Alps. Initially, based on MtDNA (100% maternal), it was claimed that he belonged to none of the known, existent groups of current Europeans. More recent studies have changed that assessment.....
This thread already exists. I personally don't understand why Jews make such a fuss about this. They are a dying religion. Hadrian's laws have ended. They could use this to advance the cause of proselytism and replenish their stock.