Genetic Study Confirmed that Armenia was Established in 2492 B.C.

• 03.11.2015, 16:45
•  World,  Armenia,  Diaspora

The New York Times has referred to the Armenian origin, bringing the data of bioRxiv digital library. The genetic study conducted by Sanger Institute team confirmed the 5th century Armenian historian Movses Khorenatsi’s claims that native Armenia had been established in 2492 B.C.

As The New York Times reports, genomes of 173 Armenians from Armenia and Lebanon have been scanned by geneticists and compared with genomes of 78 other populations from different parts of the world. The study showed that Armenians are a mix of ancient populations whose descendants now live in Sardinia, Central Asia and several other regions. According to the study, the mixture of genomes continued till the end of the Bronze Age, when the civilizations of the eastern Mediterranean collapsed and left Armenians isolated. Since then no significant changes of the genomes of the Armenians was found.  

This is how the researchers explain the preservation of many characteristic aspects of Armenian culture, also the unique alphabet and language.

It is noteworthy to mention that researchers also found some genetic divergence developed about 500 years ago between western and eastern Armenians – a date that corresponds to the division of Armenia between the Turkish and Persian empires.

The Sanger Institute researchers consider the long-isolated populations like Armenians as a means of reconstructing population history.