DNA to Test Theory of Roman Village in China 203
Reverse Gear writes "Many of the inhabitants of a lonely village in north western China seems to have distinctive western features. An old theory from the 50s suggests that a Roman legion lost in what is now Iran in the year 53BC lost their commanding officer. They traveled east, so the legend goes, working as mercenaries until they were caught by the Chinese 17 years later. The Chinese described them as using a 'fish-scale formation', which could be a reference to the well-known Roman phalanx technique called the 'tortoise'. The remainder of the legion, it is suggested, may have intermarried with the villagers in Liqian. Scientists are now trying to verify the fascinating theory by testing the DNA of the inhabitants of the Chinese village."
Comment removed (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:How can they test? (Score:5, Insightful)
A roman legion is most likely all male. while possible a few women a were present it is doubtful. especially after being lost for 17 years.
Re:Liqian == Legion? (Score:3, Insightful)
On my web-search for "Roman looking" Chinese I found this commented slideshow [telegraph.co.uk] (flash) showing a little girl with blond hair and a local farmer with green eyes.
Well, let's see what the DNA study will uncover.
Btw - Liqian and "legion" does sound similar, but keep in mind that the original Latin pronunciation does differ quite a bit from the contemporary English (and even Italian) pronunciation.
Re:suspicious?? (Score:3, Insightful)