Iberia: population genetics, anthropology, and linguistics.

[Euclides]

Hum Biol. 1999 Oct;71(5):725-43.
Iberia: population genetics, anthropology, and linguistics.

Arnaiz-Villena A, Martinez-Laso J, Alonso-Garcia J.

Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.

Basques, Portuguese, Spaniards, and Algerians have been studied for HLA and mitochondrial DNA markers, and the data analysis suggests that pre-Neolithic gene flow into Iberia came from ancient white North Africans (Hamites). The Basque language has also been used to translate the Iberian-Tartesian language and also Etruscan and Minoan Linear A. Physical anthropometry of Iberian Mesolithic and Neolithic skeletons does not support the demic replacement in Iberia of preexisting Mesolithic people by Neolithic people bearing new farming technologies from Europe and the Middle East. Also, the presence of cardial impressed pottery in western Mediterranean Europe and across the Maghreb (North Africa) coasts at the beginning of the Neolithic provides good evidence of pre-Neolithic circum-Mediterranean contacts by sea. In addition, pre-dynastic Egyptian El-Badari culture (4,500 years ago) is similar to southern Iberian Neolithic settlements with regard to pottery and animal domestication. Taking the genetic, linguistic, anthropological, and archeological evidence together with the documented Saharan area desiccation starting about 10,000 years ago, we believe that it is possible that a genetic and cultural pre-Neolithic flow coming from southern Mediterranean coasts existed toward northern Mediterranean areas, including at least Iberia and some Mediterranean islands. This model would substitute for the demic diffusion model put forward to explain Neolithic innovations in Western Europe.

I have a couple of the books authored by Arnáiz Villena and Alonso García, where the former claims to have succeeded into decyphering the Iberian, Etruscan, and even the Linear A alphabets through the Basque language.

Now, Alonso García is not a linguist but an Archaelogist or an Historian with some fair experiences in Archaelogy (not sure what), and his claims have been loudly criticised by the Academia, branding him as a "magic decypher".

Some other member from Stirpes told me that he contacted Prof. Arnáiz Villena, and that he was vague and very little precise in his answers. I advise to take this work with a pinch of salt.. or two.

Even if there was a genetic connection between the Iberians and these other ancient peoples who lived in the Eastern Mediterranean, and with the ancient Southern Mediterranean/Northern African Berbers (which could eventually lead to a genetic connection with the ancient Egyptians) one must wonder what the real genetic impact of the Iberians proper was in Iberia. By this I mean that much of what it is usually identified as Iberian or Ibero-something is probably an effect of aculturisation, pretty much like it is with the Celts.

In other words, both Celts and Iberians are two influences over more ancient, native populations (Paleolithic?).

The Iberians extended through the Eastern and South-Eastern coasts of Ancient Hispania/Iberia. Perhaps we should look into the South Western fringe for the vanished Civilisation of the Tartessians, for a possible link with the cultures/peoples mentioned at the begining of this post?

[Euclides]

Originally Posted by Menydh

I have a couple of the books authored by Arnáiz Villena and Alonso García, where the former claims to have succeeded into decyphering the Iberian, Etruscan, and even the Linear A alphabets through the Basque language.

Now, Alonso García is not a linguist but an Archaelogist or an Historian with some fair experiences in Archaelogy (not sure what), and his claims have been loudly criticised by the Academia, branding him as a "magic decypher".

Some other member from Stirpes told me that he contacted Prof. Arnáiz Villena, and that he was vague and very little precise in his answers. I advise to take this work with a pinch of salt.. or two.

Even if there was a genetic connection between the Iberians and these other ancient peoples who lived in the Eastern Mediterranean, and with the ancient Southern Mediterranean/Northern African Berbers (which could eventually lead to a genetic connection with the ancient Egyptians) one must wonder what the real genetic impact of the Iberians proper was in Iberia. By this I mean that much of what it is usually identified as Iberian or Ibero-something is probably an effect of aculturisation, pretty much like it is with the Celts.

In other words, both Celts and Iberians are two influences over more ancient, native populations (Paleolithic?).

The Iberians extended through the Eastern and South-Eastern coasts of Ancient Hispania/Iberia. Perhaps we should look into the South Western fringe for the vanished Civilisation of the Tartessians, for a possible link with the cultures/peoples mentioned at the begining of this post?

What´s the books's names?