Refuting the Claim that Scythians and Sarmatians Were Not of Iranian Origin

Refuting the Claim that Scythians and Sarmatians Were Not of Iranian Origin

By Bobby Darvish

darvishintelligence.blogspot.com 

The ancient Scythians and Sarmatians, nomadic peoples of the Eurasian steppe, are well-documented as being of Iranian origin. However, recent claims have emerged suggesting the contrary—that Scythians were not of Iranian origin but that Iranians were of Scythian origin, particularly focusing on genetic haplogroups like R1a1. Some even propose that Scythians were proto-Slavs or proto-Ukrainians, with fair-haired European characteristics, rather than the Indo-Iranian peoples historically connected with them. As an Iranian-American ex-Muslim Christian, I feel compelled to address these claims and clarify the historical and genetic misunderstandings they involve.

Historical Context of the Scythians and Sarmatians

Both the Scythians and Sarmatians were part of a larger group of nomadic Iranian-speaking peoples known as the Iranic nomads. These groups dominated the Eurasian steppe, from modern-day Ukraine to the Altai Mountains, for centuries. The term "Scythian" was used by Greek historians, most notably Herodotus, to describe these nomads, who shared linguistic and cultural ties with the Iranian branch of the Indo-European family.

The Scythians are well-documented to have spoken an Eastern Iranian language, closely related to the ancestors of modern Iranian languages like Ossetian. Their culture, religion, and customs bore deep similarities with other Indo-Iranian peoples, especially in their use of fire rituals, reverence for warrior elites, and burial practices.

The Sarmatians, who emerged later, were likewise an Iranian-speaking people who expanded into the western steppe regions. The Sarmatians replaced or merged with the Scythians in some areas, maintaining a similar nomadic lifestyle and warrior culture. Both groups had profound impacts on the societies they interacted with, particularly influencing the later Goths, Huns, and Slavs in Eastern Europe.

The Genetic Claim: R1a1 Haplogroup and its Misinterpretations

One of the most debated aspects of this argument centers on the genetic haplogroup R1a1, which is found among various Indo-European populations, including modern-day Slavs, Indians, and Iranians. Some proponents of this revisionist theory claim that because the Scythians had the R1a1 haplogroup, they must have been proto-Slavs, not Iranians, further suggesting that Iranians derive from Scythians, not the other way around.

However, this interpretation misreads genetic history and oversimplifies the complexity of human migrations and genetic diversity. The R1a1 haplogroup is indeed common in both Indo-Iranian and Slavic populations, but this does not negate the Iranian identity of the Scythians and Sarmatians. The R1a1 haplogroup likely emerged in the Pontic-Caspian steppe and spread with Indo-European migrations, which included both Iranian and Slavic peoples. Thus, the presence of R1a1 among Scythians supports their status as an Indo-Iranian group, not as proto-Slavs.

It is essential to note that genetic markers alone do not determine ethnicity or linguistic heritage. The Scythians, despite their shared genetic markers with other Indo-Europeans, were distinct in their language and culture as part of the Iranian family. To argue otherwise conflates genetics with ethnicity, ignoring the linguistic and archaeological evidence that firmly places the Scythians and Sarmatians within the Iranian sphere.

The Pazyryk Culture and Fair-Haired Scythians

The claim that Scythians were fair-haired Europeans is based on findings like the mummies of the Pazyryk culture in the Altai Mountains. Some of these mummies indeed show light hair and European-like features. However, such physical traits do not contradict the Iranian origin of the Scythians. The Eurasian steppe was always a region of great ethnic diversity, and ancient populations often displayed a range of physical appearances. The Scythians, like many nomadic peoples, interacted with various ethnic groups, leading to a degree of genetic and cultural exchange.

Furthermore, while some Scythians may have had light hair, this does not undermine their identity as Iranian speakers. Physical characteristics are a poor indicator of ethnic and linguistic identity. The most reliable evidence of the Scythians' origin remains their language, which was clearly a member of the Iranian branch of the Indo-European family.

Iranian Origins and Scythian Legacy

Far from being descendants of the Scythians, the ancient Iranians and the Scythians shared a common ancestry within the broader Indo-Iranian group. The Scythians, Sarmatians, and their relatives represented the northern branch of the Iranian-speaking peoples, while the Persians and Medes formed the southern branch. Both branches shared linguistic, cultural, and religious traditions that trace back to a common Indo-Iranian heritage.

The notion that Iranians descended from Scythians by a thousand-year gap is a misunderstanding of the timeline. Both groups were contemporaries, with the Scythians inhabiting the northern steppe regions and the Persians and Medes establishing their civilizations in what is now Iran. The shared R1a1 haplogroup among these peoples indicates a deep, ancient connection, but it does not imply that one group is the direct ancestor of the other.

Conclusion

The claim that Scythians were not of Iranian origin but rather proto-Slavs or proto-Ukrainians misrepresents both the genetic and historical evidence. The Scythians and Sarmatians were Iranian-speaking peoples whose linguistic, cultural, and religious ties place them firmly within the broader Indo-Iranian tradition. While genetic markers like the R1a1 haplogroup are found among Scythians, Slavs, and Iranians alike, this reflects shared Indo-European ancestry rather than a unique connection between Scythians and Slavs.

By refocusing on the historical, linguistic, and archaeological evidence, we can reaffirm the Iranian origins of the Scythians and Sarmatians. Their legacy as part of the broader Indo-Iranian family is clear, and any attempt to rewrite this history must grapple with the overwhelming body of evidence that supports their place in the Iranian world.

References

• Herodotus. The Histories. Translated by Aubrey de Sélincourt, Penguin Classics, 2003.
• Mallory, J. P. In Search of the Indo-Europeans: Language, Archaeology, and Myth. Thames and Hudson, 1989.
• Di Cosmo, Nicola. Ancient China and its Enemies: The Rise of Nomadic Power in East Asian History. Cambridge University Press, 2004.
• Kuzmina, Elena E. The Origin of the Indo-Iranians. Brill, 2007.