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Saxons, Vikings, and Celts: The Genetic Roots of Britain and Ireland
One of the world's leading geneticists, Bryan Sykes has helped thousands find their ancestry in the British Isles. Saxons, Vikings, and Celts, which resulted from a systematic ten-year DNA survey of more than 10,000 volunteers, traces the true genetic makeup of the British Isles and its descendants, taking readers from the Pontnewydd cave in North Wales to the resting place of "The Red Lady" of Paviland and the tomb of King Arthur. Genealogy has become a popular pastime of Americans interested in their heritage, and this is the perfect work for anyone interested in finding their heritage in England, Scotland, or Ireland.
340 pages, Hardcover
First published September 12, 2006
237 people are currently reading
2749 people want to read
About the author
Bryan Sykes
12 books214 followersBryan Clifford Sykes was a renowned British geneticist and science writer who served as a Fellow of Wolfson College and Emeritus Professor of Human Genetics at the University of Oxford. He was a pioneering researcher in the field of ancient DNA and was among the first to retrieve DNA from ancient human remains, with his landmark 1989 study published in Nature. He played a significant role in high-profile cases, including the analysis of DNA from Ötzi the Iceman.
Sykes gained widespread recognition for his popular science books, especially The Seven Daughters of Eve (2001), in which he explained how mitochondrial DNA could trace maternal ancestry back to prehistoric women, whom he described as "clan mothers". In Blood of the Isles (2006), he explored the genetic roots of the British and Irish people, arguing that modern populations largely descended from early Mesolithic and Neolithic settlers, with limited genetic input from later groups like the Celts, Romans, Anglo-Saxons, and Vikings.
He was also known for investigating cryptozoological mysteries, including the alleged Yeti, suggesting some samples might belong to a rare bear hybrid, though later studies contested his findings.
Educated at Eltham College, the University of Liverpool, Bristol, and Oxford, Sykes authored numerous scientific papers. He died in December 2020, leaving a lasting impact on genetic genealogy and public understanding of human ancestry.
Sykes gained widespread recognition for his popular science books, especially The Seven Daughters of Eve (2001), in which he explained how mitochondrial DNA could trace maternal ancestry back to prehistoric women, whom he described as "clan mothers". In Blood of the Isles (2006), he explored the genetic roots of the British and Irish people, arguing that modern populations largely descended from early Mesolithic and Neolithic settlers, with limited genetic input from later groups like the Celts, Romans, Anglo-Saxons, and Vikings.
He was also known for investigating cryptozoological mysteries, including the alleged Yeti, suggesting some samples might belong to a rare bear hybrid, though later studies contested his findings.
Educated at Eltham College, the University of Liverpool, Bristol, and Oxford, Sykes authored numerous scientific papers. He died in December 2020, leaving a lasting impact on genetic genealogy and public understanding of human ancestry.
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July 19, 2010
Several years ago, when I was in Scotland, I took a class on the Picts. They are a very elusive people surrounded by mythology and historians have had trouble pinning down realistic information about them, so there have been numerous myths about them propagated over the years. Serious historians of the Picts have fairly recently decided they were almost definitely a Celtic people who were related to more to the Celts of southern Britain rather than the Gaels (who are the primary ancestors of modern-day Scots, and came over from Ireland). Several years ago I realized it would probably be possible to do a genetic study to see if this theory could be supported more definitively. But obviously I did not have the capability to do this on my own. So I was hugely excited when I stumbled across this book in the bookstore (especially when I checked the index and saw multiple references to the Picts, and then even an entire chapter dedicated to them!). I was a teeny bit disappointed in the results relating to the Picts, but so be it.
The book is an unusual mix of archeology, history, science, and even methodology and a little bit of history of science. The first chapter starts off with an account of the author's experience successfully extracting DNA from the Cheddar tooth (a 12,000-year-old specimen found in Somerset, England) and then from Cheddar Man (Britain's oldest complete skeleton, dating to about 7000 BC). He then discusses the historical (archeological) context of these specimens in Britain. Chapter 2, Who Do We Think We Are?, discusses the origin myths held over history in Britain, including Arthurian lore and the Teutonic myth which fell by the wayside as it grew in Germany to morph into the Aryan movement. Chapter 4, The Skull Snatchers, is a brief history of the "science" of heredity practiced in the 19th and early 20th centuries, including a discussion of the practice of phrenology. Chapter 5, The Blood Bankers, includes an interesting explanation of blood types and a short history of blood transfusions.
The next two chapters help the reader understand the science of the research Sykes carried out. Chapter 6, The Silent Messengers, discusses aspects of DNA, including mutations, mitochondrial DNA, and chromosomes. He also introduces his original idea of the seven(+) matrilineal ancestors of modern Europeans (to whom he dedicated an entire book: The Seven Daughters of Eve The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry). Chapter 7, The Nature of the Evidence, talks about the collection of samples and statistical and other analysis methods.
Sykes goes on to tell the history of all of the major peoples (nations, mostly) who have lived in the British Isles (in the following chapters: 3. The Resurgent Celts, 8. Ireland, 10. Scotland, 11. The Picts, 13. Wales, 15. England, and 16. Saxons, Danes, Vikings and Normans). Then there is a specific discussion of the DNA of the four nations, with a chapter for each. The book concludes with a chapter tying everything together.
So, this book did have a lot of personal significance to me (in addition to my interest in the Picts, I focused on Irish and some British history while doing my history BA and also studied Scottish Gaelic), although it did not necessarily tell me much about my own heritage because I know few specifics. Clearly this book will be highly enjoyable to the many Americans obsessed with their Irish or Scottish heritage, as well as to other people with ties to or interest in the British Isles.
The book is an unusual mix of archeology, history, science, and even methodology and a little bit of history of science. The first chapter starts off with an account of the author's experience successfully extracting DNA from the Cheddar tooth (a 12,000-year-old specimen found in Somerset, England) and then from Cheddar Man (Britain's oldest complete skeleton, dating to about 7000 BC). He then discusses the historical (archeological) context of these specimens in Britain. Chapter 2, Who Do We Think We Are?, discusses the origin myths held over history in Britain, including Arthurian lore and the Teutonic myth which fell by the wayside as it grew in Germany to morph into the Aryan movement. Chapter 4, The Skull Snatchers, is a brief history of the "science" of heredity practiced in the 19th and early 20th centuries, including a discussion of the practice of phrenology. Chapter 5, The Blood Bankers, includes an interesting explanation of blood types and a short history of blood transfusions.
The next two chapters help the reader understand the science of the research Sykes carried out. Chapter 6, The Silent Messengers, discusses aspects of DNA, including mutations, mitochondrial DNA, and chromosomes. He also introduces his original idea of the seven(+) matrilineal ancestors of modern Europeans (to whom he dedicated an entire book: The Seven Daughters of Eve The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry). Chapter 7, The Nature of the Evidence, talks about the collection of samples and statistical and other analysis methods.
Sykes goes on to tell the history of all of the major peoples (nations, mostly) who have lived in the British Isles (in the following chapters: 3. The Resurgent Celts, 8. Ireland, 10. Scotland, 11. The Picts, 13. Wales, 15. England, and 16. Saxons, Danes, Vikings and Normans). Then there is a specific discussion of the DNA of the four nations, with a chapter for each. The book concludes with a chapter tying everything together.
So, this book did have a lot of personal significance to me (in addition to my interest in the Picts, I focused on Irish and some British history while doing my history BA and also studied Scottish Gaelic), although it did not necessarily tell me much about my own heritage because I know few specifics. Clearly this book will be highly enjoyable to the many Americans obsessed with their Irish or Scottish heritage, as well as to other people with ties to or interest in the British Isles.
March 10, 2015
The Mamas and the Papas! Three and a half stars.
This was a really fascinating story and for the most part very well told. Sykes' descriptions of the geologic upheavals and the great moving ice sheets that shaped 'The Isles' (Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England) were thrilling.
He paints a magnificent picture of the tiny bands of pioneer humans who braved tundra and seas to migrate from Iberia, the first around 10,000 years ago in the Paleolithic era. They were followed by a second small group of sea faring people who had some agricultural skills and had been in Iberia since Neolithic times. This second group joined the pioneers as the ice receded and apparently coexisted fairly peacefully. Sykes makes a very strong case that the genetic bedrock of all of the Isles, including England, was firmly established some 6,000 years ago by these two related peoples and, at least on the maternal side, is solidly ancient Celtic.
The most genetically significant exception is the maternal ancestry of Orkney and Shetland, where a large settlement of Viking women from Norway were the ancestral mothers of as much as 30-40% of the current population.
The second exception to the Celtic mother-lineage is in eastern and northern England where a group of women of Germanic-Scandinavian heritage helped people about 5-10% of the region. Sykes demonstrates that it is very difficult to distinguish between Saxons, Danes and Normans on a genetic basis, but based on location, he thinks these women were Viking Danes.
That devilish Y chromosome is another story altogether. Here, Sykes reaches back into Celtic, Viking and Saxon legends of feuding clans and conquest to trace the patrilineal history of the Isles. Remarkably, a great many of the men of the Isles carry the Celtic Y-chromosomes of a mere handful of reproductively successful men and their sons like the Macdonalds and Macleods in Scotland and the Ui Neills in Ireland. Pockets of Saxon/Danish Y-chromosomes paired with Celtic maternal mitochondria hint at 'male-driven settlement' with some signs of a partial displacement of the indigenous Celtic men. Yet only in East Anglia does the proportion of Saxon/Dane Y-chromosomes reach 20%. Sykes estimates the contribution of Norman males at an amazingly low 2% (genetically, the Normans seem to have been Vikings who absorbed the indigenous language of the time). The Isles, including England, are deeply rooted in a genetically Celtic past.
I loved the tour of the Isles pre and ancient history and Sykes' conclusions are a sobering reminder that many of the world's worst feuds are family feuds.
On the negative side, I could have lived without the dumbed-down genetics and molecular biology lessons. I do understand that Sykes was trying to humanize the science by giving made-up clan names to various Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA sequences rather than using the now standard letter and number designation, but he just made it frustratingly difficult for serious family genealogists like myself to figure out how their own DNA fits into the story.
This was a really fascinating story and for the most part very well told. Sykes' descriptions of the geologic upheavals and the great moving ice sheets that shaped 'The Isles' (Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England) were thrilling.
He paints a magnificent picture of the tiny bands of pioneer humans who braved tundra and seas to migrate from Iberia, the first around 10,000 years ago in the Paleolithic era. They were followed by a second small group of sea faring people who had some agricultural skills and had been in Iberia since Neolithic times. This second group joined the pioneers as the ice receded and apparently coexisted fairly peacefully. Sykes makes a very strong case that the genetic bedrock of all of the Isles, including England, was firmly established some 6,000 years ago by these two related peoples and, at least on the maternal side, is solidly ancient Celtic.
The most genetically significant exception is the maternal ancestry of Orkney and Shetland, where a large settlement of Viking women from Norway were the ancestral mothers of as much as 30-40% of the current population.
The second exception to the Celtic mother-lineage is in eastern and northern England where a group of women of Germanic-Scandinavian heritage helped people about 5-10% of the region. Sykes demonstrates that it is very difficult to distinguish between Saxons, Danes and Normans on a genetic basis, but based on location, he thinks these women were Viking Danes.
That devilish Y chromosome is another story altogether. Here, Sykes reaches back into Celtic, Viking and Saxon legends of feuding clans and conquest to trace the patrilineal history of the Isles. Remarkably, a great many of the men of the Isles carry the Celtic Y-chromosomes of a mere handful of reproductively successful men and their sons like the Macdonalds and Macleods in Scotland and the Ui Neills in Ireland. Pockets of Saxon/Danish Y-chromosomes paired with Celtic maternal mitochondria hint at 'male-driven settlement' with some signs of a partial displacement of the indigenous Celtic men. Yet only in East Anglia does the proportion of Saxon/Dane Y-chromosomes reach 20%. Sykes estimates the contribution of Norman males at an amazingly low 2% (genetically, the Normans seem to have been Vikings who absorbed the indigenous language of the time). The Isles, including England, are deeply rooted in a genetically Celtic past.
I loved the tour of the Isles pre and ancient history and Sykes' conclusions are a sobering reminder that many of the world's worst feuds are family feuds.
On the negative side, I could have lived without the dumbed-down genetics and molecular biology lessons. I do understand that Sykes was trying to humanize the science by giving made-up clan names to various Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA sequences rather than using the now standard letter and number designation, but he just made it frustratingly difficult for serious family genealogists like myself to figure out how their own DNA fits into the story.
May 23, 2020
Lots of History to Go With the Genetic Explorations
I listened to this after finishing The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry. Once again Sykes revisits history using the the tools of DNA and genetics to explore some common assumptions, this time about the origins of the people that populated the British Isles, namely the Picts, Celts, Romans, Normans, Angles, Saxons, Danes, Vikings, etc.
He gives a heavy dose of historical background on each of these groups before discussing the genetic studies done by his research team, which went around different parts of the British Isles, such as the different regions of England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, including the Islands such as the Hebrides, Orkneys, and Shetlands. They joined blood transfusion donation drives and set up shop at country fairs, asking to collect DNA samples from the local populaces in order to trace DNA through the matrilineal line via mitochondrial DNA (mDNA), along with patrilineal lines via the y-chromosome. What this reveals is a very fascinating and different set of data about bloodlines and heritage depending on which line you trace. If you follow mDNA back through the generations, you can trace it to specific female ancestors of different haplogroups thanks to the frequency of mutations in mDNA, whereas for y-chromosomes there is very little change over time, and there is also the Genghis Khan founder-effort, in which a dominant male line that fathers many descendants will dominate a given gene pool.
What we learn is that the Celtic-speaking peoples that first populated the British isles do not trace their heritage to the many waves of invaders in the past two millennia as is commonly thought, but rather entered the British Isles about 10,000 years ago when other neolithic farmers migrated across the land-bridge from Europe after the end of the most recent Ice Age, and that the various invaders, while intermingling with the local populations, did not decimate and replace them despite the common image of Viking, Norman, and Anglo-Saxon raiders killing all the men and ravaging all the women.
There is also the common misconception that the central European Celtic peoples of the Hallstatt and La Tene cultures in the neolithic age are the same peoples as the prehistoric Celtic peoples of the British isles, but Sykes suggests that while these groups may have shared similar languages, they are genetically distinct. He also spends a fair amount of time discussing the amount of Norse/Danish/Viking blood that has remained in the Orkney and Shetland islands and northern part of England, and how much Norman/Roman/Anglo-Saxon blood populated the Southern part of England. If you want to know more, I suggest you read the book. It's a fairly accessible style that doesn't overwhelm you with too many technical details of the DNA analysis, but provides plenty of explanation of the fundamentals so that you will understand why tracing male/female DNA lines produces such interesting and revealing results. Overall I enjoyed it quite a bit.
I listened to this after finishing The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry. Once again Sykes revisits history using the the tools of DNA and genetics to explore some common assumptions, this time about the origins of the people that populated the British Isles, namely the Picts, Celts, Romans, Normans, Angles, Saxons, Danes, Vikings, etc.
He gives a heavy dose of historical background on each of these groups before discussing the genetic studies done by his research team, which went around different parts of the British Isles, such as the different regions of England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, including the Islands such as the Hebrides, Orkneys, and Shetlands. They joined blood transfusion donation drives and set up shop at country fairs, asking to collect DNA samples from the local populaces in order to trace DNA through the matrilineal line via mitochondrial DNA (mDNA), along with patrilineal lines via the y-chromosome. What this reveals is a very fascinating and different set of data about bloodlines and heritage depending on which line you trace. If you follow mDNA back through the generations, you can trace it to specific female ancestors of different haplogroups thanks to the frequency of mutations in mDNA, whereas for y-chromosomes there is very little change over time, and there is also the Genghis Khan founder-effort, in which a dominant male line that fathers many descendants will dominate a given gene pool.
What we learn is that the Celtic-speaking peoples that first populated the British isles do not trace their heritage to the many waves of invaders in the past two millennia as is commonly thought, but rather entered the British Isles about 10,000 years ago when other neolithic farmers migrated across the land-bridge from Europe after the end of the most recent Ice Age, and that the various invaders, while intermingling with the local populations, did not decimate and replace them despite the common image of Viking, Norman, and Anglo-Saxon raiders killing all the men and ravaging all the women.
There is also the common misconception that the central European Celtic peoples of the Hallstatt and La Tene cultures in the neolithic age are the same peoples as the prehistoric Celtic peoples of the British isles, but Sykes suggests that while these groups may have shared similar languages, they are genetically distinct. He also spends a fair amount of time discussing the amount of Norse/Danish/Viking blood that has remained in the Orkney and Shetland islands and northern part of England, and how much Norman/Roman/Anglo-Saxon blood populated the Southern part of England. If you want to know more, I suggest you read the book. It's a fairly accessible style that doesn't overwhelm you with too many technical details of the DNA analysis, but provides plenty of explanation of the fundamentals so that you will understand why tracing male/female DNA lines produces such interesting and revealing results. Overall I enjoyed it quite a bit.
October 24, 2018
History + genealogy = nerd-gasm! Or puzzle lover's delight. Orrrrr family lore. :)
And we get all of this by way of a talented storyteller in Bryan Sykes.
This is notchur grandma's dry just the facts ma'am kinda scientific examination: there be mystery, drama, discovery, humor and more up in this ancestral joint. There are many 'wow' moments, and theories that cause the thinky thoughts.
I know a decent amount of history about various areas in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. I've added even more during the last five years or so in working my family tree: some of my ancestors mentioned as a part of providing context for Sykes' genetic research are 27th great grandfather William the Conqueror, 29th great uncle Edward the Confessor, 1st cousin Cnut King of the Danes, 33rd great grandfather King Alfred the Great of Wessex, 31st great grandfather Hrolfe aka Rollo of Norway, 22nd great grandmother Marjorie Bruce, 23rd great grandfather Robert the Bruce, 43rd great grandfather Aidan King of Dal Riata, and more.
Through genetics, we get a better idea about different migrations, origins and patterns both. Or, even better, we're permitted to ponder some interesting possibilities. In example of the former: one of the Y-chromosomes widely found in Ireland also crops up among the Basques and Galicians of northern Spain. On a macro level, this could be another peg in the board of truth that ancient peoples traveled quite far along their shared Atlantic coastlines in exploration, trade, and most likely habitation. On a micro level, I have ancestors from northern Spain back in the middle centuries, the same time as some of the aforementioned forebears: like 2nd cousin Urraca of León, Queen of León, Castile, and Galicia, and 3rd cousin Alfonso X King of Castile, Léon, Galicia, among others.
As for the latter, here is one of the intriguing questions Sykes asks, almost a 'which came first, the chicken or the egg': "It was the coming of agriculture to Scotland, beginning about 6,000 years ago, that boosted the population so that, only a few centuries later, there was enough manpower to construct these vast monuments [large stone structures]. But did this evidently greatly increased population mean the immigration of large numbers of people, or did the original Mesolithic inhabitants adapt and proliferate?"
He goes on to say that there isn't a lot of archeological evidence to lead us in either direction with any certainty, but maybe DNA will shed some steadier light. A $64,000 question, indeed.
Sykes takes us through the methodology used in collecting these thousands of bits n bobs of genetic samples in a lighthearted, open, and conversational way. We get local color and cultural flavor, with observations on human nature that are probably universal, now and 8,000-10,000 years ago when we bipeds first arrived in these here parts of the world.
He goes through the main mDNA haplogroups, the history of what used to pass for cultural historical research and the often patriarchal and racist conclusions of such, and the fact that these sub-microscopic proteins we all carry around have been handed down thanks to a handful of original ancestors shared by millions and millions of people. None of us is that different from the next person.
Regarding the 7 major mDNA origins of over 95% of Europeans: "I realized at once that these clan mothers, as I called them, were not some kind of theoretical ancestors, but real living, breathing women. No, not just women, they were mothers as well."
And through their daughters, and each generation of daughters after them, here we are.
As much as I love history, there were times when I wished for more exposition on the sciencey side of life. Sykes would get going on a description of one of he and his colleagues' sample collecting tours, or a set of results, and then head back to the lives of our long-dead clanspeople.
His bias that clearly favors England also comes through now and then, if only in hints. Given the rich, lengthy, and interesting history of all of the regions on which he spent his energy in studying, it would have been quite the feat to lessen the awesomeness of Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.**
I did not want this to end! I put off reading the last 20 pages or so for several days. I want more! This is such an enjoyable read, and I wrote notes, reactions, and questions throughout. Please give me more of this:
On the numbers part of the genetic equation: "Like so many tabulations, the numbers disguise individual stories of heroism and betrayal, triumph and defeat, and force them into bleak summaries. This is no way to treat our ancestors and you will be glad that I shall not insult them, or you, in this way again."
Cheeky! And 100% truth: the numbers often don't tell the whole story.
** I have my own "biases" considering my love for and having spent time in Ireland and Scotland, and England, and my extensive ancestry from these three places, along with Wales. ;)
And we get all of this by way of a talented storyteller in Bryan Sykes.
This is notchur grandma's dry just the facts ma'am kinda scientific examination: there be mystery, drama, discovery, humor and more up in this ancestral joint. There are many 'wow' moments, and theories that cause the thinky thoughts.
I know a decent amount of history about various areas in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. I've added even more during the last five years or so in working my family tree: some of my ancestors mentioned as a part of providing context for Sykes' genetic research are 27th great grandfather William the Conqueror, 29th great uncle Edward the Confessor, 1st cousin Cnut King of the Danes, 33rd great grandfather King Alfred the Great of Wessex, 31st great grandfather Hrolfe aka Rollo of Norway, 22nd great grandmother Marjorie Bruce, 23rd great grandfather Robert the Bruce, 43rd great grandfather Aidan King of Dal Riata, and more.
Through genetics, we get a better idea about different migrations, origins and patterns both. Or, even better, we're permitted to ponder some interesting possibilities. In example of the former: one of the Y-chromosomes widely found in Ireland also crops up among the Basques and Galicians of northern Spain. On a macro level, this could be another peg in the board of truth that ancient peoples traveled quite far along their shared Atlantic coastlines in exploration, trade, and most likely habitation. On a micro level, I have ancestors from northern Spain back in the middle centuries, the same time as some of the aforementioned forebears: like 2nd cousin Urraca of León, Queen of León, Castile, and Galicia, and 3rd cousin Alfonso X King of Castile, Léon, Galicia, among others.
As for the latter, here is one of the intriguing questions Sykes asks, almost a 'which came first, the chicken or the egg': "It was the coming of agriculture to Scotland, beginning about 6,000 years ago, that boosted the population so that, only a few centuries later, there was enough manpower to construct these vast monuments [large stone structures]. But did this evidently greatly increased population mean the immigration of large numbers of people, or did the original Mesolithic inhabitants adapt and proliferate?"
He goes on to say that there isn't a lot of archeological evidence to lead us in either direction with any certainty, but maybe DNA will shed some steadier light. A $64,000 question, indeed.
Sykes takes us through the methodology used in collecting these thousands of bits n bobs of genetic samples in a lighthearted, open, and conversational way. We get local color and cultural flavor, with observations on human nature that are probably universal, now and 8,000-10,000 years ago when we bipeds first arrived in these here parts of the world.
He goes through the main mDNA haplogroups, the history of what used to pass for cultural historical research and the often patriarchal and racist conclusions of such, and the fact that these sub-microscopic proteins we all carry around have been handed down thanks to a handful of original ancestors shared by millions and millions of people. None of us is that different from the next person.
Regarding the 7 major mDNA origins of over 95% of Europeans: "I realized at once that these clan mothers, as I called them, were not some kind of theoretical ancestors, but real living, breathing women. No, not just women, they were mothers as well."
And through their daughters, and each generation of daughters after them, here we are.
As much as I love history, there were times when I wished for more exposition on the sciencey side of life. Sykes would get going on a description of one of he and his colleagues' sample collecting tours, or a set of results, and then head back to the lives of our long-dead clanspeople.
His bias that clearly favors England also comes through now and then, if only in hints. Given the rich, lengthy, and interesting history of all of the regions on which he spent his energy in studying, it would have been quite the feat to lessen the awesomeness of Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.**
I did not want this to end! I put off reading the last 20 pages or so for several days. I want more! This is such an enjoyable read, and I wrote notes, reactions, and questions throughout. Please give me more of this:
On the numbers part of the genetic equation: "Like so many tabulations, the numbers disguise individual stories of heroism and betrayal, triumph and defeat, and force them into bleak summaries. This is no way to treat our ancestors and you will be glad that I shall not insult them, or you, in this way again."
Cheeky! And 100% truth: the numbers often don't tell the whole story.
** I have my own "biases" considering my love for and having spent time in Ireland and Scotland, and England, and my extensive ancestry from these three places, along with Wales. ;)
October 3, 2013
"Saxons, Vikings and Celts" wants to be a hybrid of history, science and memoir. Instead it is a book with an identity crisis as pronounced as anything suffered by the Scottish malcontents who agitate for secession from the UK. That's a shame, because the book has a fine premise and Bryan Sykes is a respected authority in his field. The problem lies in execution. Whereas the best science writers make their ideas digestible with clear prose and grounded examples, Sykes relies on lengthy tangents and a chatty voice. This makes the early chapters endearing but eventually clouds the science at the book's core. Sykes devotes entire chapters to anecdotes about his colleagues and obscure Celtic mythological heroes, some of which comprise needed background, but most of which do not. Excluding the prologue, he doesn't get around to discussing genetics until the halfway mark. The payoff is underwhelming because the actual material pertaining to the genetic history of the British Isles could fill a magazine article. Borrow this one from the library and read the first chapter and skim the last half. You'll quickly get the gist of this well-intentioned but sloppily assembled book. This topic deserves better and Sykes, with a skilled editor, could easily deliver it in a revised edition.
September 11, 2020
So many people trace their heritage back to the Saxons, Vikings, and Celts. However, so much of the "evidence" for ancestry came from boasts of victories and made up or embellished stories about who one's ancestors were. Everyone wants a good origin story. Kings and Queens especially needed a very good origin story, one that would convince their subjects that they were indeed chosen by God to rule over entire kingdoms. Back in the days before genome sequencing, or any real science in general, it was easy to make up these origin stories and have people easily believe them. King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine miraculously found and dug up the bones of King Arthur, long after his death, and claimed him as their ancestor. Other royals, nobles, and common folk alike have bought into these stories. Now we have the technology to sequence people and find out if they have descended from who they think they did or if they will find out that their origin stories are very different from the ones they have been told.
Bryan Sykes deliciously dissected various tales of battle and tested the genetics against the tall tales. Usually when a land is invaded, the conquering men spread their seed among the native population. As a result, genes are changed along with the culture. It was very satisfying to take the trip along various historical routes with Sykes and find out who lied, who told the truth, and what the migration and conquering pattern of people really was. To provide the sweeping narrative of the book, Sykes and other researchers sequenced whole groups of people to trace their true origins. One of the most satisfying aspects of this book were the tales Skyes told of blatant charlatans and the efforts made by them to fool the public. I would like to think I would be too savvy to fall for some of these tricks, but if I were brought up in a time of such ignorance about the world, I might have fallen for it. For example, if someone wrote it down in a book, whether it was true or not, the public saw it as absolute fact. 'It is in a book; therefore it must be true." So an author could say what they wanted. They didn't have to back anything up with actual evidence. There was one scholar who was studying Aryan language and concluded that since there was a pure Aryan language, there must be a pure Aryan race. It was nonsense but history shows us how much people bought into that myth-- and how much far too many people still do buy into it.
Sykes did a great job of presenting various histories of the Saxons, Vikings, and Celts and then confirming or modifying these histories to, for the first time, provide the reader with the most up to date and accurate understanding possible.
Bryan Sykes deliciously dissected various tales of battle and tested the genetics against the tall tales. Usually when a land is invaded, the conquering men spread their seed among the native population. As a result, genes are changed along with the culture. It was very satisfying to take the trip along various historical routes with Sykes and find out who lied, who told the truth, and what the migration and conquering pattern of people really was. To provide the sweeping narrative of the book, Sykes and other researchers sequenced whole groups of people to trace their true origins. One of the most satisfying aspects of this book were the tales Skyes told of blatant charlatans and the efforts made by them to fool the public. I would like to think I would be too savvy to fall for some of these tricks, but if I were brought up in a time of such ignorance about the world, I might have fallen for it. For example, if someone wrote it down in a book, whether it was true or not, the public saw it as absolute fact. 'It is in a book; therefore it must be true." So an author could say what they wanted. They didn't have to back anything up with actual evidence. There was one scholar who was studying Aryan language and concluded that since there was a pure Aryan language, there must be a pure Aryan race. It was nonsense but history shows us how much people bought into that myth-- and how much far too many people still do buy into it.
Sykes did a great job of presenting various histories of the Saxons, Vikings, and Celts and then confirming or modifying these histories to, for the first time, provide the reader with the most up to date and accurate understanding possible.
February 1, 2013
The author, billed as the world's first genetic archaeologist, describes a multi-year project to examine the DNA of the people of the (British) Isles. The DNA of the Y chromosome reveals hints at where our male ancestors came from, and the mitochondrial DNA where the female ancestors originated. He mixes an abbreviated scientific summary with the earliest history of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England, and attempts to look at how the evidence fits with what we know and the legend of our ancient history.
Is it really true that the ancient Britons were driven westwards? Are the Shetland Islanders really Vikings? Were the Viking invasions solely raping and pillaging, or did they bring their womenfolk with them? These and many more questions are addressed.
The style of the scientific sections was sometimes a bit hard work, not terribly well presented, with clan names and statistics being thrown around, and the scientific methodology rather glossed over, but the history was well written and the conclusions fascinating. Well worth persevering with the harder reading sections as overall the book is really quite thought-provoking, if leaving you thinking that the story might have been better presented.
Is it really true that the ancient Britons were driven westwards? Are the Shetland Islanders really Vikings? Were the Viking invasions solely raping and pillaging, or did they bring their womenfolk with them? These and many more questions are addressed.
The style of the scientific sections was sometimes a bit hard work, not terribly well presented, with clan names and statistics being thrown around, and the scientific methodology rather glossed over, but the history was well written and the conclusions fascinating. Well worth persevering with the harder reading sections as overall the book is really quite thought-provoking, if leaving you thinking that the story might have been better presented.
December 29, 2017
This excellent book by Bryan Sykes was a really great read about my own ancestors. I have always been interested in the history of Britain and Ireland and was always curious about the allure of the tiny little isles in the North Sea. Sykes documents the ancestry of the Isles by volunteer DNA samples through blood donors and booths at country fairs. Some of the people in these areas haven't moved in generations and many of the strains are surprisingly consistant. It was revealing to learn that some inhabitants of the Isles would prefer to be of Viking ancestry than Gaelic! And that Gaelic itself may be a cultural invention! I found this the natural follow up to "Deep Ancestry" and "Journey of Man" as well as "The Seven Daughters of Eve". It brought it all so close to home. And helped solidify the realization that each of us is descended from a long line of real people who lived real lives. It is my personal opinion that all of this scientific research is a result of the "spirit of Elijah" that is turning the hearts of the children to the fathers. I can see the Lord's hand in this interest by scientists and their effort to make it accessable to the general public.
UPDATE 2017: I had my DNA tested by Ancestry.com and the results were that 90% of my DNA tested as from Britain, mostly England and Scotland. I found this a little surprising since my sister (we share both parents)had hers tested and came back over 70% Scandinavian! I wasn't going to have mine done until a friend pointed out that even full siblings can have differences in their ancestral DNA due to the way the chromosomes from each parent line up, especially if the generations have been in the States for awhile. I can trace 3 of 4 lines back to the 1600s in North America, so we should be quite a mixed bag. Well, except for me! No wonder I am so drawn to that little island in the North Sea!
UPDATE 2017: I had my DNA tested by Ancestry.com and the results were that 90% of my DNA tested as from Britain, mostly England and Scotland. I found this a little surprising since my sister (we share both parents)had hers tested and came back over 70% Scandinavian! I wasn't going to have mine done until a friend pointed out that even full siblings can have differences in their ancestral DNA due to the way the chromosomes from each parent line up, especially if the generations have been in the States for awhile. I can trace 3 of 4 lines back to the 1600s in North America, so we should be quite a mixed bag. Well, except for me! No wonder I am so drawn to that little island in the North Sea!
July 10, 2016
This is a totally engrossing book for anyone interested in British history or in genetics. The crux of the book is DNA and the genetic origins of the British people but is explained in such a beautiful way that you do not need to be a genetic scientist to understand it. In fact, myself, who has no scientific background fully understood it and found it extremely fascinating.
As Bryan Sykes explains 'this is living history, told by the real survivors of the times. the DNA that still lives within our bodies. This really is the history of the people by the people'
The author combines the findings of his genetic studies with the history, legend and folklore of the islands, Great Britain and Ireland.
He explains how in his first book The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry he discovered concrete evidence that Europeans have a predominant hunter-gatherer ancestry from people who settled on the continent 40 000 years ago or more and NOT as was commonly disseminated , by farmers from the Middle East who were supposed to have entered Europe 10 000 years ago.
In the second Chapter of the book 'who do we think we are' Sykes examines the prevailing beliefs, dogma and myths of the past about British history and origins, including the false understanding that the English are close cousins of the Germans through being descended from the Anglos-Saxon invaders who conquered what is now England in the 500-700s CE/AD.
The DNA findings effectively debunk these beliefs (espoused by among others Nazi sympathizers who sadly still exist in England, who believe the Germans are the closest cousins of the English and it was a travesty that the English fought their German brothers in the two world wars (or were tricked into doing so in the case of World War II by the 'wicked Jews')
Instead he reveals that almost the entire mitochondrial DNA (DNA passed down from the females genes) in England is from the Ibero-Celtic peoples that arrived in Britain 10 000 years ago and is fundamentally the same as that in Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
'Even if the entire population of Jutes, Angles and Saxons arrived in Britain, that that could have exterminated all of the Britons, , with their centuries of experience of Roman military tactics. Even if they had managed to kill all the men they would not have managed to kill all the women'
And hence how the DNA proves this. The overwhelming majority of the matrilineal descent of the people in England has stayed constant for ten thousand years, from the original inhabitants of Britain , who were there 8000 years before the Anglo-Saxons settled in what is now England.
As Sykes clearly states ' 'On our maternal side almost all of us are Celts'
'The matrilineal history of the Isles is both ancient and continuous. I see no reason at all from the results why many of our maternal lineages should not go right through the millennia to the very first Paleolithic and Mesolithic settlers who reached our islands around 10 000 years ago. The average settlement dates of 8000 years ago fits in with this.'
As for the Y chromosome (passed down through the male gene) 'still there are far more people with Celtic ancestry in England, , even in the far East of England, than can claim to be of Saxon or Danish descent. In the west of England, the patrilineal line too is almost all Celtic, while in the south approximately 10% of the men now living in the south of England are the patrilineal descendants of Saxons or Danes, this increases to 15% above the Danelaw line, and at the most in England in East Anglia is 20%. So so much for the article in the Daily Mail entitled 'We are all Germans' - that is simply not true.
'Overall the genetic structure of the Isles is overwhelmingly Celtic, if by that we mean descent from those who were here before the Romans and who spoke a Celtic language' All the invasions and opposed settlements since Julius Caesar have barely scratched the surface.
Each chapter on the genetics of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales is preceded by overall histories of these country's in the early periods, and their mythology and folklore (even if you know most of the information Sykes writes in a way which is a pleasure to read.)
I was intrigued to read that there a small number of people in the south of England who can trace ancestry through mitochondria (therefore the female line unbroken) to subsaharan Africa and the Middle East, most likely descendants of slaves brought by the Romans, whose lines have carried on through the generations through unbroken lines of women . As a Jew , I find the idea that there may be found in some people in England who do not know it who carry mitochondrial DNA from generations ago from Jewish women intriguing.
He traces the main ancestry of the Shetland and Orkney islands to Vikings. His style is always engaging and chatty, I enjoyed the anecdotes, and the humour. This is one of the better books on the topics for laymen and historians without degrees in genetic science.
In the field of DNA and history would also recommend the work by Rabbi Yaakov Kleiman DNA and Tradition: The Genetic Link to the Ancient Hebrews to the Ancient Hebrews which traces the ancestry of modern day Jews to ancient Israel.
As Bryan Sykes explains 'this is living history, told by the real survivors of the times. the DNA that still lives within our bodies. This really is the history of the people by the people'
The author combines the findings of his genetic studies with the history, legend and folklore of the islands, Great Britain and Ireland.
He explains how in his first book The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry he discovered concrete evidence that Europeans have a predominant hunter-gatherer ancestry from people who settled on the continent 40 000 years ago or more and NOT as was commonly disseminated , by farmers from the Middle East who were supposed to have entered Europe 10 000 years ago.
In the second Chapter of the book 'who do we think we are' Sykes examines the prevailing beliefs, dogma and myths of the past about British history and origins, including the false understanding that the English are close cousins of the Germans through being descended from the Anglos-Saxon invaders who conquered what is now England in the 500-700s CE/AD.
The DNA findings effectively debunk these beliefs (espoused by among others Nazi sympathizers who sadly still exist in England, who believe the Germans are the closest cousins of the English and it was a travesty that the English fought their German brothers in the two world wars (or were tricked into doing so in the case of World War II by the 'wicked Jews')
Instead he reveals that almost the entire mitochondrial DNA (DNA passed down from the females genes) in England is from the Ibero-Celtic peoples that arrived in Britain 10 000 years ago and is fundamentally the same as that in Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
'Even if the entire population of Jutes, Angles and Saxons arrived in Britain, that that could have exterminated all of the Britons, , with their centuries of experience of Roman military tactics. Even if they had managed to kill all the men they would not have managed to kill all the women'
And hence how the DNA proves this. The overwhelming majority of the matrilineal descent of the people in England has stayed constant for ten thousand years, from the original inhabitants of Britain , who were there 8000 years before the Anglo-Saxons settled in what is now England.
As Sykes clearly states ' 'On our maternal side almost all of us are Celts'
'The matrilineal history of the Isles is both ancient and continuous. I see no reason at all from the results why many of our maternal lineages should not go right through the millennia to the very first Paleolithic and Mesolithic settlers who reached our islands around 10 000 years ago. The average settlement dates of 8000 years ago fits in with this.'
As for the Y chromosome (passed down through the male gene) 'still there are far more people with Celtic ancestry in England, , even in the far East of England, than can claim to be of Saxon or Danish descent. In the west of England, the patrilineal line too is almost all Celtic, while in the south approximately 10% of the men now living in the south of England are the patrilineal descendants of Saxons or Danes, this increases to 15% above the Danelaw line, and at the most in England in East Anglia is 20%. So so much for the article in the Daily Mail entitled 'We are all Germans' - that is simply not true.
'Overall the genetic structure of the Isles is overwhelmingly Celtic, if by that we mean descent from those who were here before the Romans and who spoke a Celtic language' All the invasions and opposed settlements since Julius Caesar have barely scratched the surface.
Each chapter on the genetics of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales is preceded by overall histories of these country's in the early periods, and their mythology and folklore (even if you know most of the information Sykes writes in a way which is a pleasure to read.)
I was intrigued to read that there a small number of people in the south of England who can trace ancestry through mitochondria (therefore the female line unbroken) to subsaharan Africa and the Middle East, most likely descendants of slaves brought by the Romans, whose lines have carried on through the generations through unbroken lines of women . As a Jew , I find the idea that there may be found in some people in England who do not know it who carry mitochondrial DNA from generations ago from Jewish women intriguing.
He traces the main ancestry of the Shetland and Orkney islands to Vikings. His style is always engaging and chatty, I enjoyed the anecdotes, and the humour. This is one of the better books on the topics for laymen and historians without degrees in genetic science.
In the field of DNA and history would also recommend the work by Rabbi Yaakov Kleiman DNA and Tradition: The Genetic Link to the Ancient Hebrews to the Ancient Hebrews which traces the ancestry of modern day Jews to ancient Israel.
April 4, 2014
I am clearly in the minority when I give this book a low rating. It has a fascinating premise and some interesting parts; but so much of the book felt like a sales pitch mixed with academic lectures and senseless banter. Each chapter was more like a teaser for something further along. Finally, everything is brought together in the final chapter...and....very little enlightenment.
The concept of tracing people around the globe to seven matriarchs and twenty-plus patriarchs is an interesting idea embedded in genetics and science. However, there is a common sense problem with the idea: inbreeding. The children would quickly corrupt the gene pool even if each matriarch had a child with each of the twenty-plus patriarchs. The result of the 'Seven Daughters of Eve Theory' is that it sounds a lot like Biblical allegory. Of course, when I first read about tracing my ancestry back to Helena or Ursula, I was very intrigued until I kept seeing references to customers, companies, and similar topics that give a vague veneer of a sales pitch. Once irritated over this subtle thread, I began having overall doubts.
A second major distraction was the crude travel commentary about the British Islands. I do not care if the author works in Oxford and lives on the Isle of Skye. I do not see the point of stories about people who never left their small communities, or if his assistants quit the project because they watch Ally McBeal. Maybe this style is intended to relate to the readers; but the affect is a random narrative that breaks suddenly between genetics, folklore, history, mindless banter, and teasing the reader about future analysis....just read some more....
Another major drawback for me was the lack of references. Not one! I was interested in several of the folklore and historical works he references in multiple passages. But to read them require more research. At one point the author says he will spare us the science. I want the science, even if it is just one chapter. The science gives the project that much more credence. I want to believe.
Finally, I am a bit discouraged by the results. It is interesting to know that the Vikings peacefully settled the Orkneys and Shetlands. It is a bit more interesting not to find any genetic trace from the Romans. They did occupy Britannia for about 400 years, much of that time with Latins from Italy. It is a little surprising to note that the background on nearly everyone is overwhelmingly Celtic / Pict. But even the author acknowledges that mDNA mutates slowly making it more difficult to use in the short history of the Islands. The y-Chromosome DNA allows for more mutations in a shorter period and these reflect the Genghis Khan Effect of kill the men and "keep" the women. The result is a strong presence of German-Viking genes in the East and less along Ireland and the western coasts.
So, in sum, an interesting premise full of potential, but the awkward and too informal writing made it all the more difficult to accept and endorse.
The concept of tracing people around the globe to seven matriarchs and twenty-plus patriarchs is an interesting idea embedded in genetics and science. However, there is a common sense problem with the idea: inbreeding. The children would quickly corrupt the gene pool even if each matriarch had a child with each of the twenty-plus patriarchs. The result of the 'Seven Daughters of Eve Theory' is that it sounds a lot like Biblical allegory. Of course, when I first read about tracing my ancestry back to Helena or Ursula, I was very intrigued until I kept seeing references to customers, companies, and similar topics that give a vague veneer of a sales pitch. Once irritated over this subtle thread, I began having overall doubts.
A second major distraction was the crude travel commentary about the British Islands. I do not care if the author works in Oxford and lives on the Isle of Skye. I do not see the point of stories about people who never left their small communities, or if his assistants quit the project because they watch Ally McBeal. Maybe this style is intended to relate to the readers; but the affect is a random narrative that breaks suddenly between genetics, folklore, history, mindless banter, and teasing the reader about future analysis....just read some more....
Another major drawback for me was the lack of references. Not one! I was interested in several of the folklore and historical works he references in multiple passages. But to read them require more research. At one point the author says he will spare us the science. I want the science, even if it is just one chapter. The science gives the project that much more credence. I want to believe.
Finally, I am a bit discouraged by the results. It is interesting to know that the Vikings peacefully settled the Orkneys and Shetlands. It is a bit more interesting not to find any genetic trace from the Romans. They did occupy Britannia for about 400 years, much of that time with Latins from Italy. It is a little surprising to note that the background on nearly everyone is overwhelmingly Celtic / Pict. But even the author acknowledges that mDNA mutates slowly making it more difficult to use in the short history of the Islands. The y-Chromosome DNA allows for more mutations in a shorter period and these reflect the Genghis Khan Effect of kill the men and "keep" the women. The result is a strong presence of German-Viking genes in the East and less along Ireland and the western coasts.
So, in sum, an interesting premise full of potential, but the awkward and too informal writing made it all the more difficult to accept and endorse.
June 11, 2015
I was not sure what to expect with this one. I've read a lot of articles about genetic archeology leading up to opening this book and I have already had some idea of how gentic science works. I have also read other critiques of Sykes as a scientist and researcher as well as critiques of other books he's written by other scientists. So far, few doubt the completeness or impact of his work in Europe, especially in the United Kingdom. I will admit when I saw his website and the prices for having your own DNA anylized I wondered if he had gone over to the darkside of commercialism or the even darker side of commercialism mixed with science rather than science mixed with anthroplogy.
This book and other critiques of Bryan Sykes works, including being able to read the published scientific studies, have cleared up most of those concerns. Bryan Sykes is a notable expert in his feild and, though he could have, he barely mentioned his "fee for service" sideline. I would note that this mention came as one of the ways he has been able to expand his database. So, where as most of my concerns were quickly dispelled my worries that this might turn into an advertisement for his Oxford Group linger, though greatly diminished, in the back of my mind.
One of the things that I liked about the book is how sykes made some attempt to keep it interesting without crossing over to fictionalizing the past which is the knock on his book The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry He payed more respect to myths, legends and origin stories than many writers who specialize in that type of history and, through science, he dispelled some common misconceptions of what humanity was like before Summeria and Rome and shored up some concepts that had been weak theories using genetic science as the glue. Respect to cultures, beliefs, heritage, but still, this is a book about science.
Perhaps one of the strongest, though shortest, discussed points, came early on where sykes explains what we can learn through Genetic Archeology and what we cannot. I was particulalarly greatful for his paing attention to the rise of racism. Despite so-called claims, racists have little or no science to support their clams and no effective means of studying anything scientifically. Racists often argue their case as a genetic issue. Bryan Sykes stabs this concept through the heart. The idea of that there is anything that remotely resembles genetic superiority is completely despelled by genetic science. Race as it pretans to racism, predjudice and bias is a function of culture. The entire human genetic spectrum including the gene sets that are farthest apart from eachother is barely distinguishable from one end to the other. This is not so in other species. What a great thought? Genetic Archeology, rather than seeing a superior genetic string, finds that we are even more alike physiologically than ever believed possible before.
Sykes takes care, when explaining genetic science, to make sure he is not speaking over the knowledge level of his average reader's head. Sometimes he's too careful about that. Trust me, if I'm reading a book about the genetic history of the British Isle, then I am likely capable of understandign deeper explaination than what Sykes gives. On the other hand, I'm glad that I didn't have to stop listening (audiobook) and look stuff up to understand what he's talking about as I have other non-fiction books. He also did a good job of putting genes in context so that, after his explaination, I was ready climb to the next scientific tier and less likely to make the gross leap to faulty conclusion. So, though I wanted more, good job on that too, Dr. Sykes.
I liked the stories Sykes added about conducting his research except for one part. Apparently he's read Robert Cialdini. The hot science ladies were the best he had at convincing people to give up their DNA for science. Uh...yeah, no kiding "Bryan." What does that say about the genetic advancment of the "Y-chromisome?" I am glad that his realization of how effective the two Attractive ladies of science were at recruiting volunteers (ever seen the add for "Meet Farm Girls dot com?") came well after he applauded their ideas and intelligent decisions. At least he had the good sense to notice that the people who worked at the inns and bead and breakfast establishments where they stayed were less excited to see him return than them.
It was a cute story and, as a holder of the inmfamous (notorious in some circles) Y chromisome myself, I completely get how it's great to be in the car with the hot science Ladies. Unfortunately, as much as Sykes sought to express his grattitude at their "developed skill in recuriting donors" this anecdote probably does give us a hint at why one is now a lawyer and the other a forensic specialist rather than staying with the program as Genetic Research Scientists. What was their value to the team again? Good "Recruiting?" or were they intelligent scientists? What about their contributions to science and to your ground breaking study? So, I took a star away for Y-Chromisomic attitudes and behavior even though I'm not sure I am in anyway immune to it.
That said, most of this book was about science, history, archeology and mythology and most of it was entertaining, enlightening and worth reading. I am going to read the book he wrote about his work in North America though I have heard that it is not nearly as thurough as his genetic archeology in the United Kingdom and Europe.
I also wonder why he did not make some connections between his work and findings that have kept me curious about migration of humans such as: how the genetic history of Helenas clan matches the Brutus origin Legend or how the Sonorri history/legend matches both the migration of the Viking clans (Sigurd) and gives a different take on the spread of what we understand as the Norse mythos that suggests that Odin (a person) might have been more influential than Jesus in the development of Western culture and our moral pshychology and ethics.
At any rate, this is a good read, and very interesting, even enlightening. The science is good and appears sound. Though it is told in an almost story like narrative, that narrative is supported by science, not fictionalized in the way that he ended his last book. I'm not sure what it tells us, but I'm reasonably certain that it tells us something important about ourselves... even if it's about you beautiful British people and not us Ugly Americans.
This book and other critiques of Bryan Sykes works, including being able to read the published scientific studies, have cleared up most of those concerns. Bryan Sykes is a notable expert in his feild and, though he could have, he barely mentioned his "fee for service" sideline. I would note that this mention came as one of the ways he has been able to expand his database. So, where as most of my concerns were quickly dispelled my worries that this might turn into an advertisement for his Oxford Group linger, though greatly diminished, in the back of my mind.
One of the things that I liked about the book is how sykes made some attempt to keep it interesting without crossing over to fictionalizing the past which is the knock on his book The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry He payed more respect to myths, legends and origin stories than many writers who specialize in that type of history and, through science, he dispelled some common misconceptions of what humanity was like before Summeria and Rome and shored up some concepts that had been weak theories using genetic science as the glue. Respect to cultures, beliefs, heritage, but still, this is a book about science.
Perhaps one of the strongest, though shortest, discussed points, came early on where sykes explains what we can learn through Genetic Archeology and what we cannot. I was particulalarly greatful for his paing attention to the rise of racism. Despite so-called claims, racists have little or no science to support their clams and no effective means of studying anything scientifically. Racists often argue their case as a genetic issue. Bryan Sykes stabs this concept through the heart. The idea of that there is anything that remotely resembles genetic superiority is completely despelled by genetic science. Race as it pretans to racism, predjudice and bias is a function of culture. The entire human genetic spectrum including the gene sets that are farthest apart from eachother is barely distinguishable from one end to the other. This is not so in other species. What a great thought? Genetic Archeology, rather than seeing a superior genetic string, finds that we are even more alike physiologically than ever believed possible before.
Sykes takes care, when explaining genetic science, to make sure he is not speaking over the knowledge level of his average reader's head. Sometimes he's too careful about that. Trust me, if I'm reading a book about the genetic history of the British Isle, then I am likely capable of understandign deeper explaination than what Sykes gives. On the other hand, I'm glad that I didn't have to stop listening (audiobook) and look stuff up to understand what he's talking about as I have other non-fiction books. He also did a good job of putting genes in context so that, after his explaination, I was ready climb to the next scientific tier and less likely to make the gross leap to faulty conclusion. So, though I wanted more, good job on that too, Dr. Sykes.
I liked the stories Sykes added about conducting his research except for one part. Apparently he's read Robert Cialdini. The hot science ladies were the best he had at convincing people to give up their DNA for science. Uh...yeah, no kiding "Bryan." What does that say about the genetic advancment of the "Y-chromisome?" I am glad that his realization of how effective the two Attractive ladies of science were at recruiting volunteers (ever seen the add for "Meet Farm Girls dot com?") came well after he applauded their ideas and intelligent decisions. At least he had the good sense to notice that the people who worked at the inns and bead and breakfast establishments where they stayed were less excited to see him return than them.
It was a cute story and, as a holder of the inmfamous (notorious in some circles) Y chromisome myself, I completely get how it's great to be in the car with the hot science Ladies. Unfortunately, as much as Sykes sought to express his grattitude at their "developed skill in recuriting donors" this anecdote probably does give us a hint at why one is now a lawyer and the other a forensic specialist rather than staying with the program as Genetic Research Scientists. What was their value to the team again? Good "Recruiting?" or were they intelligent scientists? What about their contributions to science and to your ground breaking study? So, I took a star away for Y-Chromisomic attitudes and behavior even though I'm not sure I am in anyway immune to it.
That said, most of this book was about science, history, archeology and mythology and most of it was entertaining, enlightening and worth reading. I am going to read the book he wrote about his work in North America though I have heard that it is not nearly as thurough as his genetic archeology in the United Kingdom and Europe.
I also wonder why he did not make some connections between his work and findings that have kept me curious about migration of humans such as: how the genetic history of Helenas clan matches the Brutus origin Legend or how the Sonorri history/legend matches both the migration of the Viking clans (Sigurd) and gives a different take on the spread of what we understand as the Norse mythos that suggests that Odin (a person) might have been more influential than Jesus in the development of Western culture and our moral pshychology and ethics.
At any rate, this is a good read, and very interesting, even enlightening. The science is good and appears sound. Though it is told in an almost story like narrative, that narrative is supported by science, not fictionalized in the way that he ended his last book. I'm not sure what it tells us, but I'm reasonably certain that it tells us something important about ourselves... even if it's about you beautiful British people and not us Ugly Americans.
November 6, 2014
This is an extremely important book that all history lovers should read. The author demonstrates that the genetic profile of the population is highly similar throughout all of the British Isles. This suggests that the various invasions that England underwent (German, Norse, and Norman for example) touched primarily the government and the elites. The actual population of England was barely impacted.
The similarities in the genetic profiles of the people living in the celtic regions of the British Isles also suggest that the spread of languages occurs independently of population movements. This point is of enormous importance as it undercuts a 200 year old practice of assuming that a migration of a language meant also a demographic migration.
I plan to watch this debate carefully in the future although Mr. Sykes view for the moment is clearly in the ascendant.
The similarities in the genetic profiles of the people living in the celtic regions of the British Isles also suggest that the spread of languages occurs independently of population movements. This point is of enormous importance as it undercuts a 200 year old practice of assuming that a migration of a language meant also a demographic migration.
I plan to watch this debate carefully in the future although Mr. Sykes view for the moment is clearly in the ascendant.
November 17, 2023
This is an interesting work of paleogenomics from an important early figure in the field. Unfortunately, many, if not most, of the claims have not aged well. Some of this is a function of the techniques Sykes has relied on; all of the claims are premised on mitochondrial or Y chromosome sampling, which is inherently limited. His claims are also limited by a lack of modern genomic tools and a much more restrict sample set than today's field of paleogenomics.
Unfortunately for the book, his central claim that modern residents of the British Isles are most similar to early European settlers of the Neolithic (12kya-6.5kya) is very likely incorrect. A 2018 paper from the eminent lab of David Reich found that, between 2450 and 2000 BC, over 90% of British DNA was replaced by European Steppe Herders (the Bell Beakers) in a migration that brought significant amounts of Steppe DNA (i.e. the R1b haplogroup of the Y) to western and northern Europe. It is unclear exactly why Sykes was led astray, but I presume it was a function of ascertainment bias or his genotyping approach rather than the limitations of using Y/mtDNA. Reich's lab paper presents its own case using Y haplogroup data.
Before jumping deeper into the claims of the book, let's return to the methodological limitations:
Why is relying wholly on Y and mtDNA an issue? Well, the high-level and simple answer is that you are ignoring a lot of the genome. This picture is necessarily incomplete. More specifically, the Y or mtDNA only reflect the paternal or maternal lineage. Additionally, mtDNA may be subject to genetic drift, selection, or admixture, which can distort the phylogenetic signal and the geographic distribution of haplogroups. Y or mtDNA may have low mutation rates or high homoplasy (convergent evolution), which can reduce the resolution or accuracy of the phylogenetic reconstruction too. Additionally, there is the challenge of reconciling the Y and mt lineages, which may tell inconsistent tales. However, I don't want to denigrate the utility of Y and mtDNA. They still are really interesting sources of ancestral genetic data, and Sykes uses as best as it can be used at the time of the publication of this book.
Returning to Sykes genetic ancestry claims:
Sykes argues that despite popular belief Anglo-Saxons make up only a small portion of English ancestry, under 20% of the total even in Southern England. However, a 2016 study in Nature Communication suggests the real contribution from Anglo-Saxons to modern Brits is around one-third and in East Anglia approaches 40%. Sykes conclusion here differs more modestly than his central claim.
Sykes also asserts the Norman conquest only contributed 2% ancestry to current populations and that only traces of the Roman occupation remain. And the contribution from Vikings (Danes and Norwegians) was substantial contribution but concentrated in central, northern and eastern England. He alleges a significant Viking contribution in the Orkney and Shetland Islands, in the vicinity of 40 percent, where the contribution was surprisingly balanced between maternal and paternal lines. Because otherwise the paternal and maternal lines suggest the outsized success of only a few male lines (not an unusual pattern in populations with histories of being subject to ancient conquests).
I haven't done the due diligence on running down the rest of these claims, but I doubt much has shifted about them. Either way, this made for an interesting read but would have benefitted from modern companion notes (might sift through Razib Khan's writings to see if he's commented on this one recently or the British Isles generally).
Extended review on British Genetic Roots
Unfortunately for the book, his central claim that modern residents of the British Isles are most similar to early European settlers of the Neolithic (12kya-6.5kya) is very likely incorrect. A 2018 paper from the eminent lab of David Reich found that, between 2450 and 2000 BC, over 90% of British DNA was replaced by European Steppe Herders (the Bell Beakers) in a migration that brought significant amounts of Steppe DNA (i.e. the R1b haplogroup of the Y) to western and northern Europe. It is unclear exactly why Sykes was led astray, but I presume it was a function of ascertainment bias or his genotyping approach rather than the limitations of using Y/mtDNA. Reich's lab paper presents its own case using Y haplogroup data.
Before jumping deeper into the claims of the book, let's return to the methodological limitations:
Why is relying wholly on Y and mtDNA an issue? Well, the high-level and simple answer is that you are ignoring a lot of the genome. This picture is necessarily incomplete. More specifically, the Y or mtDNA only reflect the paternal or maternal lineage. Additionally, mtDNA may be subject to genetic drift, selection, or admixture, which can distort the phylogenetic signal and the geographic distribution of haplogroups. Y or mtDNA may have low mutation rates or high homoplasy (convergent evolution), which can reduce the resolution or accuracy of the phylogenetic reconstruction too. Additionally, there is the challenge of reconciling the Y and mt lineages, which may tell inconsistent tales. However, I don't want to denigrate the utility of Y and mtDNA. They still are really interesting sources of ancestral genetic data, and Sykes uses as best as it can be used at the time of the publication of this book.
Returning to Sykes genetic ancestry claims:
Sykes argues that despite popular belief Anglo-Saxons make up only a small portion of English ancestry, under 20% of the total even in Southern England. However, a 2016 study in Nature Communication suggests the real contribution from Anglo-Saxons to modern Brits is around one-third and in East Anglia approaches 40%. Sykes conclusion here differs more modestly than his central claim.
Sykes also asserts the Norman conquest only contributed 2% ancestry to current populations and that only traces of the Roman occupation remain. And the contribution from Vikings (Danes and Norwegians) was substantial contribution but concentrated in central, northern and eastern England. He alleges a significant Viking contribution in the Orkney and Shetland Islands, in the vicinity of 40 percent, where the contribution was surprisingly balanced between maternal and paternal lines. Because otherwise the paternal and maternal lines suggest the outsized success of only a few male lines (not an unusual pattern in populations with histories of being subject to ancient conquests).
I haven't done the due diligence on running down the rest of these claims, but I doubt much has shifted about them. Either way, this made for an interesting read but would have benefitted from modern companion notes (might sift through Razib Khan's writings to see if he's commented on this one recently or the British Isles generally).
Extended review on British Genetic Roots
December 13, 2010
Even though this was not fiction, this was really a page-turner for me. Most of my heritage is English-Irish-Scottish, so I was incredibly intrigued to read about the studies that Bryan Sykes and his colleagues have been involved in regarding the genetic history of the British Isles. I've always had a keen interest in both my personal genealogy and in genetics in general, and this brought it all together for me, as well as placing it in an historical frame of reference. Based upon previous research Mr. Sykes has performed and published in both The Seven Daughters of Eve (also an excellent book) and Adam's Curse, the genetic foundation of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England were further investigated with the aim of determining if perhaps the legends and oral histories of the Isles do indeed have any roots in fact. I won't give away the results here, but I will say that I was really surprised by some of the outcomes, and it certainly gives me a new perspective on my own genetic past.
June 18, 2008
Fascinating study presented in layman's terms explaining the genetic history of the British Isles. Probably the most startling result of his work, and that of other geneticists as well, is that 'lost' peoples such as the Picts of Scotland or Celts generally in England did not vanish genetically even if they did culturally. They live on in all of us of British descent. Other points of interest include the apparent confirmation that legends of Celtic migration from the Middle East through Iberia to the British Isles are based upon fact, that there are close genetic connection between the Picts and the British Celts, and that the Vikings made largely peaceful settlements in places such as the Shetland and Orkney islands as well as, to a lesser extent, East Anglia in England. My only caveat is that, not being an expert on genetics, it is difficult to verify all of his claims.
May 24, 2016
I really enjoyed the history and scientific data parts of this. I think this could gave been much shorter if the author didn't include stories about their journey to collect the DNA. I don't care to hear about how a lab assistant quit to pursue a career in law.
This book takes a look at what makes someone who they are and contributing factors such as war and invasion.
This book takes a look at what makes someone who they are and contributing factors such as war and invasion.
May 10, 2022
Originally published on my book blog, TheBibliophage.com.
Bryan Sykes focuses on science and genetics in his book, Saxons, Vikings, and Celts: The Genetic Roots of Britain and Ireland. Published in 2006, it explains and examines his extensive research.
His team took thousands of cheek swabs from folks all over the British Isles. The goal was finding where genetics of conquering populations like Saxons and Vikings is strongest in the area. Conversely, the team also searched for genetics related to the islands’ indigenous populations, the Picts and Celts. In that work, Sykes attempts to determine if they really are indigenous.
Although Sykes shares funny stories of his various data gathering strategies, the book borders on the academic, with a drier tone and heavier focus on statistics and analysis. Still, it’s an interesting question for genealogists with roots in the British Isles—Britain, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
This is entirely a book about explaining genetics from a fairly small corner of the world. I also appreciated the detailed explanations of various types of DNA and DNA tests. We now focus on autosomal DNA, but Y-DNA and mitochondrial DNA are also key elements. Sykes does his best to make it approachable, but I often put the book down and struggled to re-engage later.
If you’re a serious genealogical researcher, you’ll appreciate his ideas and information. However, casual hobbyists might find it a bit too dry.
Bryan Sykes focuses on science and genetics in his book, Saxons, Vikings, and Celts: The Genetic Roots of Britain and Ireland. Published in 2006, it explains and examines his extensive research.
His team took thousands of cheek swabs from folks all over the British Isles. The goal was finding where genetics of conquering populations like Saxons and Vikings is strongest in the area. Conversely, the team also searched for genetics related to the islands’ indigenous populations, the Picts and Celts. In that work, Sykes attempts to determine if they really are indigenous.
Although Sykes shares funny stories of his various data gathering strategies, the book borders on the academic, with a drier tone and heavier focus on statistics and analysis. Still, it’s an interesting question for genealogists with roots in the British Isles—Britain, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
This is entirely a book about explaining genetics from a fairly small corner of the world. I also appreciated the detailed explanations of various types of DNA and DNA tests. We now focus on autosomal DNA, but Y-DNA and mitochondrial DNA are also key elements. Sykes does his best to make it approachable, but I often put the book down and struggled to re-engage later.
If you’re a serious genealogical researcher, you’ll appreciate his ideas and information. However, casual hobbyists might find it a bit too dry.
September 5, 2012
Early in the second chapter Professor Sykes writes:
"I have more than once found that oral myths are closer to the genetic conclusions than the often ambiguous scientific evidence of archaeology. Hawakiki, the legendary homeland of the Polynesians, was said to be located among the islands of Indonesia, and genetics proved it. The Hazara tribe of north-west Pakistan had a strong oral myth of descent from the first Mongol emperor, Ghengis Khan, and his genes are still there to this day. These are just two examples."
A scientist after my own heart!
The book is full of myth and the early history of the Isles - all of it fascinating reading, even for one already far more familiar with myth than history. It's the way he tells it. The serious genetic information comes later and makes the book practically unputdownable to the very end. But be warned - if you haven't already done so it'll make you long to order a test kit to find out about your ancestors and their amazing journeys.
"I have more than once found that oral myths are closer to the genetic conclusions than the often ambiguous scientific evidence of archaeology. Hawakiki, the legendary homeland of the Polynesians, was said to be located among the islands of Indonesia, and genetics proved it. The Hazara tribe of north-west Pakistan had a strong oral myth of descent from the first Mongol emperor, Ghengis Khan, and his genes are still there to this day. These are just two examples."
A scientist after my own heart!
The book is full of myth and the early history of the Isles - all of it fascinating reading, even for one already far more familiar with myth than history. It's the way he tells it. The serious genetic information comes later and makes the book practically unputdownable to the very end. But be warned - if you haven't already done so it'll make you long to order a test kit to find out about your ancestors and their amazing journeys.
February 26, 2014
I was pretty disappointed with this book. It seemed to build quite a bit on material that the author apparently covered in "The Seven Daughters of Eve," which, unfortunately, I had not read. Plus, the author kept apologizing for presenting "technical" material. I'm sorry, it's a book about genetics. Wouldn't any reader of a book on this topic expect technical discussion? It's not like we're squirming in our seats every time we read the word "mitochondria." At least, I hope not.
Other reviewers of this book stated that it isn't necessary to have read "The Seven Daughters of Eve" to enjoy this book. Respectfully, I disagree. I would suggest reading Mr. Sykes earlier book before reading this one.
Other reviewers of this book stated that it isn't necessary to have read "The Seven Daughters of Eve" to enjoy this book. Respectfully, I disagree. I would suggest reading Mr. Sykes earlier book before reading this one.
January 22, 2014
Way more history than I was expecting. Went off on weird tangents, like talking about the results being coins and how he would pile the coins up. I really didn't appreciate his rant about numbers hiding real life. This book was a lot longer than it needed to be and his efforts to make it more interesting, make the data breathe, just made it too long-winded. The plus was being able to learn more about how all the pieces fit together genetically/historically.
July 31, 2017
What a great idea for a book and a scientific exploration of dna. What a horrible example of the execution of a book. Just plain badly written. And yet the idea of mixing the history, stories and myths with the location of differences of mutation in genes in a particular place, is an awesome one. And yet the science and the statistics of the book itself should have been so much better. I learned quite a bit from this one, but there was quite the opportunity to learn more.
April 1, 2021
A fun read while thinking about family trees and reading Bernard Cornwell books. If you have ancestors or THINK you have ancestors from the Isles, then read this book. Plow through the science if that does not interest you. I find genetics very interesting. It is not all science and genetics. It is worth the time to read.
March 26, 2016
Oh my goodness was this a difficult read. The book itself was actually very good, but I gave it a four due to the fact that my librarian brain-power wasn't handling the talk of genetics very well.
Bryan Sykes, a geneticist in the UK, takes the reader on a journey of the history of the Isles through genetics. He starts by giving the written history we know through people such as Geoffrey of Monmouth (King Arthur), then the Saxon ideal. From there he discusses the beginning of genetically profiling people through history. It started with skull shape and physical traits, moved to blood typing, and finally DNA.
Finally, Sykes takes us through different regions and shows us the manner of DNA profiling everyone and the results.
The book was absolutely fascinating to read. I was particularly floored with his use of mDNA and the y-chromosome to show how people are related. If you follow mutations back on these items, they will eventually point to one common ancestor. There are roughly 8 women that are the "Eves" of the women living in the Isles and about 5 men who correspond to the "Adams" of all the men living in the area.
However, this is the type of book you have to read while awake and alert because it is very easy to skim over the pages and realize you don't remember a think you just read. I would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in history, genetics, or the British Isles... preferably an interest in all three. I thought it was worth the struggle.
Bryan Sykes, a geneticist in the UK, takes the reader on a journey of the history of the Isles through genetics. He starts by giving the written history we know through people such as Geoffrey of Monmouth (King Arthur), then the Saxon ideal. From there he discusses the beginning of genetically profiling people through history. It started with skull shape and physical traits, moved to blood typing, and finally DNA.
Finally, Sykes takes us through different regions and shows us the manner of DNA profiling everyone and the results.
The book was absolutely fascinating to read. I was particularly floored with his use of mDNA and the y-chromosome to show how people are related. If you follow mutations back on these items, they will eventually point to one common ancestor. There are roughly 8 women that are the "Eves" of the women living in the Isles and about 5 men who correspond to the "Adams" of all the men living in the area.
However, this is the type of book you have to read while awake and alert because it is very easy to skim over the pages and realize you don't remember a think you just read. I would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in history, genetics, or the British Isles... preferably an interest in all three. I thought it was worth the struggle.
June 30, 2010
I borrowed this from Larry's sil over Father's Day weekend, so I've begun it, so I can return it. Fascinating premise I must say.
I started thinking 4.5 star rating, but this book really is amazing, so I upped it to 5. A complicated subject - the DNA of the British Isles - written is so comprehensible a way that even I understood most of it - a good percentage at least. I am NOT a scientist, but Sykes writes so well, and warns you when he might need to be a bit more scientific in what he's writing, that it's easy to follow along. Now, I really want to find out my mitochrondrial DNA, although since most of my ancestors (female and male) came from Ireland, Scotland, England and maybe Wales, I'd take bets it would turn out to be Helena - she's the predominant Celtic mother of the British Isles.
Now I really want to find his book "The Seven Daughters of Eve" to read.
I started thinking 4.5 star rating, but this book really is amazing, so I upped it to 5. A complicated subject - the DNA of the British Isles - written is so comprehensible a way that even I understood most of it - a good percentage at least. I am NOT a scientist, but Sykes writes so well, and warns you when he might need to be a bit more scientific in what he's writing, that it's easy to follow along. Now, I really want to find out my mitochrondrial DNA, although since most of my ancestors (female and male) came from Ireland, Scotland, England and maybe Wales, I'd take bets it would turn out to be Helena - she's the predominant Celtic mother of the British Isles.
Now I really want to find his book "The Seven Daughters of Eve" to read.
August 12, 2014
A great introduction to genetic genealogy. Written for the complete layman. It is clear, concise, balanced and fair. It contains enough historical and archeological background to put the genetic data in context and is packed with anecdotes and stories from the coal face of population genetics. Anyone from Britain or Ireland who is interested in their roots should read this. I've had my genotyping done by the National Genographic and I've spent the last few months immersed in academic papers trying to make sense of everything. It's a confusing and difficult field to jump into, even for someone like me who has a PhD in the biological sciences and who has studied genetics as part of my degree. The best compliment I can pay this book is to say that I should have started here and then set out into the deeper waters.
July 30, 2011
The result of a very ambitious project (taking DNA samples from countless Britons and Irishmen in order to determine the genetic origin of the various peoples of the Isles), this follow-up to The Seven Daughters of Eve compares genetic evidence to accepted "history," popular belief, and oral tradition – and often reaches surprising conclusions.
Like John Sadler (author of Border Fury), Sykes is a delightful rarity in this day and age: a highly intelligent, highly educated man who writes in an engaging, popular style. Without compromising his own intellect or patronizing his readers, he relates complex concepts in simple, jargon-free English – and tells an absorbing, scientific "detective story" in the process.
Like John Sadler (author of Border Fury), Sykes is a delightful rarity in this day and age: a highly intelligent, highly educated man who writes in an engaging, popular style. Without compromising his own intellect or patronizing his readers, he relates complex concepts in simple, jargon-free English – and tells an absorbing, scientific "detective story" in the process.
July 4, 2013
Absolutely fascinating - our genes don't lie and by mapping the genetics of the British Isles we can get some idea of where the people come from. The old theory of the previous inhabitants being replaced by waves of invaders appears not to be the case. A more likely scenario is that the original inhabitants that settled in the British Isles after the end of the ice age are still there. The waves of invaders had some impact but not to totally replace the previous population. All this is borne out by the genetic evidence from analysing the DNA of the current population. The book is a mixture of science, history, legend and myth and it's a very good read. Will definitely get hold of some of Bryan Sykes' other books such as the Daughters of Eve etc.
July 19, 2011
If you are interested in genealogy,you will like this book. Blood tests and cheek swabs of the people of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England tells the stories of the invaders,conquerors and the natives of these ancient lands. I found it interesting that only certain parts of Scotland showed a high percentage of Viking ancestry and others a high percentage of celtic/pictish origins. They were also able to tell that certain parts of British Isle, the relationship between the vikings and celtic women was peaceful and not forced. Loved this book!
February 8, 2019
This book gives no explanation whatsoever of the genetic origins of Saxons, Vikings, or Celts. Clickbait title.
March 1, 2021
Despite that normally I don't like to read Biology related books, I always have found Genetics fascinating even that Biology and Anatomy are not in my scope of interest. I could understand this book pretty well as it was very well told by its author Bryan Sykes.
The journey begins explaining the origins of the current group of people living in Britain and Ireland and how it develop into today's. Mr Sykes also uses some chapters to explain his methods and do a reminder class about mithocondrial cells and chromosome before deep diving into each region of the British Isles with a straight-forward and fun account and its results.
The method used by Sykes can be explained briefly as searching for the m-ADN for the female population and Y chromosome in the ADN of male groups and associating it into larger clans based on Mr. Sykes previous researchs'-don't despair, as the book contains everything you need to understand, but if you want to deep dive go to Sykes' previous works.
A final chapter summarizes all and gives it a surprising conclusion -at least for me- as the usuals books that I read involve Saxons, Angles and Nordic people. I am not spoiling anything, though my expectations were a more balanced set of certain group of people.
A great book indeed, worthy of a read, especially for those interested in the development of the British Isles and its people.
The journey begins explaining the origins of the current group of people living in Britain and Ireland and how it develop into today's. Mr Sykes also uses some chapters to explain his methods and do a reminder class about mithocondrial cells and chromosome before deep diving into each region of the British Isles with a straight-forward and fun account and its results.
The method used by Sykes can be explained briefly as searching for the m-ADN for the female population and Y chromosome in the ADN of male groups and associating it into larger clans based on Mr. Sykes previous researchs'-don't despair, as the book contains everything you need to understand, but if you want to deep dive go to Sykes' previous works.
A final chapter summarizes all and gives it a surprising conclusion -at least for me- as the usuals books that I read involve Saxons, Angles and Nordic people. I am not spoiling anything, though my expectations were a more balanced set of certain group of people.
A great book indeed, worthy of a read, especially for those interested in the development of the British Isles and its people.
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