In here I write about Iron Age and Historical era steppe nomads' aDNA and archeaology.

Joined August 2022
Were Kok-Pash culture and European Oghurs related? Yes. Here is a solid example; the Kam-Tyttugem male (Kok-Pash) shares a ~210 AD TMRCA with modern Europeans (Hun/Bulgar remnant Y-DNA), suggesting that Oghurs derived from the Kok-Pash (1)
All three Kok-Pash culture (300-500 AD) results in aDNA dataset as of today (one direct, two outliers).
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New (2026) and old Y-DNAs of Shirenzigou culture (related to Pulei 蒲類 or Yuezhi 月氏 in archaeology) on ftDNA. It was a mixture between Pazyryk and Yanbulake cultures. Shirenzigou was devastated by Xiongnu and exiled from their homeland. Temporary post.
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Two new European Huns (high East Asian outliers) from Imenkovo culture, both under R-S10885. VZ-12673, MSG-1, KRY001, TGB023 are European Huns with this clade. R1a-S10885 and N-M2019>Y70200 were common in Attila's Huns and both has Xiongnu origin. Temporary post.
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a new linguistic paper supports a largely accepted opinion that the Core layer of the Xiongnu empire was Turkic-speaking. About a half-year from now, a major aDNA paper will also confirm that the 'core Xiongnu' ethnicity was indeed Turkic, using Y-DNA links.
an updated ftDNA tree of Proto Xiongnu C-Y10420 (aka Y10428) and its distribution in Medieval Turkic samples. (Note: Sivashovka graves are Avar era burials in Pannonia that belonged to the Onoghurs)
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A professional article by Emre Yavuz about three historical Chinese reports of Ashina clan origin. Nearly all Chinese reports point to Xiongnu origin of Ashina, that aligns with the nominated Ashina Y-DNA; R1a-S10885 (Kok-Pash) Temporary post.
Proud to publish my first research paper ever! In it, I analyzed the wolf legend of the Turkic Ashina clan, ruling dynasty of the Göktürks, with interpretations of the individual passages in and comparisons between the four Chinese sources. Links below.
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All three Kok-Pash culture (300-500 AD) results in aDNA dataset as of today (one direct, two outliers).
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New Bulgar Kutrigur samples' (Sivashovka-type burials) info from Avar-period in Serbia, Novi Sad are on ftDNA. Individuals carry ~20-30% East asian on average (EA varies in Sivashovka) due to mixing. Y-DNAs are mainly of Xiongnu stock. Temporary post
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Elga culture, Dingling and N-F3271 (N-F4205). Mysterious neighbours of the Xiongnu. In this graph I explained Elga culture from a historical and aDNA view.
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Pannonian Avars: Mongolic or Turkic? In this graph, I explained the complexity of their origin from aDNA angle.
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New Turkic sample from Chao Ning et al 2026 (Science). From Barkol, a male dated to 250-404 calCE (c14) carries a clade under N1a-F4204 (aka N-F3271). Date and location suggests a Tiele individual. This subclade is related to the Elga culture (unpub). Temporary post
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Typo: *N-F4205
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New Khazar samples! Two new females along with previous C-Y10428 Khazar male (same site) has been newly analysed (no raw data for females) Similar to other Khazars, they exhibit 40-60% East Asian ancestry, equates with 45-65% Core Xiongnu ancestry (see Daniel Tabin's poster)
Very special; a new Khazar male dated to 700 AD shares exact C-Y10420>FT156571 subclade with Chepni clan in Turkey with 500 AD TMRCA, strongly suggesting the Chepni clan has Khazar ties before joining Oghuz confederation.
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Very special; a new Khazar male dated to 700 AD shares exact C-Y10420>FT156571 subclade with Chepni clan in Turkey with 500 AD TMRCA, strongly suggesting the Chepni clan has Khazar ties before joining Oghuz confederation.
an updated ftDNA tree of Proto Xiongnu C-Y10420 (aka Y10428) and its distribution in Medieval Turkic samples. (Note: Sivashovka graves are Avar era burials in Pannonia that belonged to the Onoghurs)
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What subclades of R1a-Z93 do Siberian Turkic groups carry? Here is a full guide (excluding their Q, N, C, etc.). Source: mentioned in the graph
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New Ghalichi 2026 Elite Pazyryk (Berel 16) male has Q1b-L330 on ftDNA (very likely B287>BZ93 subclade, a Yeniseian-related subclade common in Berel/Bulan-Koby- ftDNA). His profile is regular Eastern/Central Saka (40_50% Khövsgöl_LBA, 40-50% Sintashta, and some BMAC)
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Amazing X. Chang et al. 2026, full aDNA of Ningxia. Interesting is Zhou period (2.7 - 2.1k BP) nomadic part, mostly derived from Slab-Graves and all males are Q1a-M120, this is the same stock as Ordos culture that is long called Scythian but aDNA says otherwise
a Y-DNA update for Slab-Grave and Deer Stone cultures of BA Mongolia (Source: ftDNA) -SG nomads had mainly Q-M120 in early/middle period but N-M2019 became dominant in late period -DSKC nomads had a founder effect on BZ181 subclade of Q-L330
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Who is closest to the famous DA39 (R1a-PRX4) in current Xiongnu set? CHN010 (Chandman site, C2a-Y10420) shares 93 cM IBD (4 long segments) with him (Özdemir 2026). 85% in 3-2nd cousin range (Bonus: for a reason, in 2027, Modu dynasty can be ascribed to C-Y10420>MF175677)
an updated ftDNA tree of Proto Xiongnu C-Y10420 (aka Y10428) and its distribution in Medieval Turkic samples. (Note: Sivashovka graves are Avar era burials in Pannonia that belonged to the Onoghurs)
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* closest "male".
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Korgantas is said to be from Slab-Grave horizon (source: img). It has all SG Y-DNAs but lacks C2a-Y10420. Korgantas moved to Kazakhstan around 400_350 BC, it 'probably' means they were forced to move by a new wave in Mongolia. Likely by JAG-type wave. (Temporary post)
This quoted post is unavailable.
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What is Proto Turkic proxy? As defined by Daniel Tabin, Core Xiongnu ancestry equates with Proto Turkic ancestry, connecting Shaz and Lir groups. Core Xiongnu is high east Asian (~80-100%) and different than Scythian/Sarmatian outliers in Xiongnu context (Sources: in image)
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