Lost Legion in China? (1 Viewer)

[marco55]

I just read a little article about recent DNA testing in Liqian China of residents show their genes are 56% Caucasian,lending credence that Roman soldiers,defeated in the battle of Carrhae fled eastward settling in China.I have never heard of this before.Has anyone else?
Mark

 

[Scott]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Carrhae

"..The battle is also believed to have eventually led to the first Sino-Roman relations. According to Pliny, in 53 BC, after losing at the battle of Carrhae, 10,000 Roman prisoners were sent by the Parthians to Margiana to help guard the eastern frontier of the Parthian Empire. The Han Chinese later captured this area and the Roman prisoners were likely among the first Europeans to meet the Chinese directly.[29]

According to Homer H. Dubs, eventually part of this legion was recruited as mercenaries by the Xiongnu. They battled with the Chinese during the Battle of Zhizhi, where they were captured by the Chinese and moved to Liqian village, Yongchang County. This was later verified as false, as DNA testing proved the inhabitants of the Liqian village to be of Eastern Asian descent.[citation needed].."


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liqian_village


"...Several investigations have been conducted since.[2] Rob Gifford commented on the theory and described it as one of many "rural myths."[4] One DNA study found that "a Roman mercenary origin could not be accepted as true according to paternal genetic variation, and the current Liqian population is more likely to be a subgroup of the Chinese majority Han."[5] However, more recent genetic testing revealed that 56% of the DNA of some Zhelaizhai residents was Caucasian in origin.[6] To date, no artifacts which might confirm a Roman presence, such as coins or weaponry, have been discovered in Zhelaizhai.[6]...."

 

[marco55]

Thanks Scott.True or not it would make a good historical novel or maybe even a movie.:salute::Not all Romans were stationed in Britain.^&grin
Mark

 

[Scott]

Think of the Roman/ Kung Fu action THAT movie would have. When a film has Romans fighting American Indians or early Mormons on the continental US of A let me know.

 

[wayne556517]

I thought this thread said "lost LEGGO in China"had to check it out but now its far more interesting than i first thought............^&grin

 

[Currahee Chris]

Think of the Roman/ Kung Fu action THAT movie would have.

That would be a riot!!! ^&grin

I have read these types of stories before and I do not completely dismiss them though am skeptical. Couldn't it be possible the genetics came from prisoners taken from Genghis Khan?? Not sure. It's an interesting story for sure.

 

[marco55]

I love these kind of legends.
Mark

 

[Currahee Chris]

I love these kind of legends.
Mark

Oh I do too- it feels like a combination of two things I really love- the Ancient World and Indiana Jones!! If it weren't for these types of legends- Troy and the Teutoberger could very well have been lost to the sands of time.........

 

[Martin Tabony]

Thanks Scott.True or not it would make a good historical novel or maybe even a movie.:salute::Not all Romans were stationed in Britain.^&grin
Mark

Not that many were stationed up here on the wall. There's mainly german and sirian grave finds. Although the wall was built by the legions, they must have had better things to do than hang about in the wind and rain.^&grin I used to pass the temple of Mithras every morning on my way to school, it alway amazed me that a housing estate is just built around it!

Martin

P.s if you want to see it on Google earth, search 49 Broomridge Avenue, Benwell Newcastle upon Tyne

 

[uncled]

I just read a little article about recent DNA testing in Liqian China of residents show their genes are 56% Caucasian,lending credence that Roman soldiers,defeated in the battle of Carrhae fled eastward settling in China.I have never heard of this before.Has anyone else?
Mark

I was EXCORIATED by an arrogant grad student instructor at Rutgers many years ago for being "narrowmindedly Eurocentric" when I happened to mention the Battle of Carrhae and the fact that a Chinese city in Ligian China had been built amazingly similar to a Roman castra, esp. the way the streets were drawn up. In fact, I remember reading about this in an article in the American Journal of Archaeology back in the '70s...guess the dude was bucking for tenure !!^&grin