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Missing link in Indo-European languages' history found

A new DNA study reveals that Indo-European languages originated from an ancient population in the North Caucasus and Lower Volga regions.
Researchers analyzed DNA from 435 individuals and identified the Caucasus Lower Volga group as a key link to modern Indo-European languages.
The study connects the CLV population to the Proto-Indo-Anatolian language, which influenced both Hittite and other Indo-European languages.
This discovery marks a significant advancement in understanding the origins and spread of Indo-European languages over the last 200 years.

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Greek Reporter

New DNA Study Unveils Missing Link in Indo-European Language Origins

Caucasus Mountains. Credit: flickr/ Kazimierz Popławski CC BY-NC 2.0 A groundbreaking study has uncovered new clues about the origins of Indo-European languages, identifying an ancestral group that played a crucial role in their spread. In collaboration with Harvard University, researchers from the University of Vienna analyzed ancient DNA from 435 individuals across Eurasia, offering fresh insights into a long-standing historical mystery. The s…

17 days ago

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Smithsonian Mag

Ancient DNA Sheds Light on the Origins of Indo-European Languages

New research suggests that the first Indo-European speakers lived in southern Russia 6,500 years ago, challenging long-standing debates about the language family’s origins

17 days ago·United States

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The Independent

DNA study cracks mystery over origin of languages spoken by half the world

Indo-European languages traced to population living in steppe grasslands 6,500 years ago

17 days ago·London, United Kingdom

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Harvard University

Landmark studies track source of Indo-European languages— Harvard Gazette

Science & Tech Landmark studies track source of Indo-European languages spoken by 40% of world Nick Patterson (from left), Iosif Lazaridis, and David Reich. Veasey Conway/Harvard Staff Photographer Christy DeSmith Harvard Staff Writer February 5, 2025 7 min read Researchers place Caucasus Lower Volga people, speakers of ancestor tongue, in today’s Russia about 6,500 years ago A pair of landmark stu…

18 days ago·Harvard, United States

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Phys.org

+3 Reposted by 3 other sources

Missing link in Indo-European languages' history found

Where lies the origin of the Indo-European language family? Ron Pinhasi and his team in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology at the University of Vienna contribute a new piece to this puzzle in collaboration with David Reich's ancient DNA laboratory at Harvard University.

18 days ago·United Kingdom

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Archaeology

Genetic Study May Track Spread of Indo-European Languages - Archaeology Magazine

Grave of a woman buried with a spiral ring, which is an artifact typically associated with the Yamnaya culture. Her posture is a feature of Maikop culture burials, and researchers have determined that the deceased has 40% Maikop ancestry. VIENNA, AUSTRIA—According to a SciNews report, analysis of DNA samples taken from 435 individuals whose remains were recovered from archaeological sites in Eurasia, and dated to between 6400 and 2000 B.C., has …

17 days ago·United States

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