The True Origins of "Turkish" Identity and the Iranic Scythian Legacy: An Examination of DNA Evidence and Historical Integration
By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS
Throughout history, many have wondered why certain populations in Central Asia and the Near East display Iranic (Aryan) features like blonde hair, blue eyes, and other characteristics typically associated with the Indo-European Scythians rather than the Turco-Mongol peoples. As a member of the Iranian-American community and someone who has examined the legacies of Central Asian empires, I believe the question of ethnic heritage, particularly within Turkey and the broader Turkic identity, is worth a closer look. With advances in DNA testing, we can better understand the intricate layers of identity, revealing the unexpected and often violent historical events that shaped the genetic landscape of Central Asia, Anatolia, and beyond.
The Iranic Scythian Influence and Turco-Mongol Encounters
The Scythians were a prominent Iranic people of the ancient Eurasian steppes, inhabiting a vast area stretching from Eastern Europe to Central Asia. Known for their warrior culture, the Scythians played a significant role in shaping the cultural and genetic heritage of this region. When Turco-Mongol tribes began migrating westward, they encountered these Iranic Scythian populations, often with profound social and genetic consequences.
The distinctive Iranic features, such as lighter hair and eye colors, observed in some Turco-Mongol populations, likely resulted from intermarriage and conquest. History tells us that when these groups interacted, it was not always through peaceful means. Conquest, enslavement, and the practice of taking captives often led to forced intermixing. Historical sources and accounts confirm that these interactions led to a blending of genetic traits, explaining why some people of Turco-Mongol descent display these Aryan features.
Turkish Identity and Greek Origins: What DNA Evidence Reveals
One of the most surprising revelations comes from recent genetic studies conducted in Turkey. Although modern Turkey identifies as predominantly "Turkish" and connects its heritage to the Turkic tribes that migrated from Central Asia, DNA analysis reveals a different story. Scientific evidence shows that approximately 90% of modern-day Turkish citizens have genetic markers closer to Ionian Greeks rather than to the Turkic Central Asians their identity is often associated with.
This finding disrupts long-held nationalist narratives within Turkey, suggesting that the current population is primarily descended from the ancient Greeks, particularly the Ionians, who lived in western Anatolia long before the arrival of Turkic tribes. When the Seljuk Turks and later the Ottoman Empire conquered these regions, their ruling elite was Turkic, yet the local population largely remained Greek. The process of cultural and religious assimilation over centuries gradually transformed the identity of the local populace, but their genetic roots remain tied to the Greek heritage that predates Turkic migration.
Assimilation Through Language and Religion
The modern "Turkish" identity was not solely shaped by the influx of Turkic genes but by the imposition of language, culture, and religion. The process of Turkification, which involved forced conversions and the suppression of non-Turkish cultural identities, played a significant role. Over centuries, Greek, Armenian, and other local populations converted to Islam and adopted the Turkish language, making way for the emergence of a collective Turkish identity. However, their genetic lineage remained more aligned with the pre-existing populations of Anatolia than with the Central Asian Turkic groups.
By focusing on cultural assimilation, rather than complete replacement, the Turkic rulers ensured the survival of genetic traits from the original Greek, Armenian, and other indigenous populations. Thus, today’s Turkish population, despite its Turkic language and Islamic faith, carries predominantly Greek genetic markers, a fact that modern DNA studies substantiate.
Conclusion
The notion that certain Turco-Mongol populations display Iranic Scythian features, as well as the revelation that most Turkish citizens are genetically Ionian Greek, challenges the simplified ethno-nationalist narratives that have long been promoted in these regions. With the aid of scientific DNA evidence, we see that the modern Turkish identity is more complex and layered than previously acknowledged. Rather than being purely descendants of Central Asian Turks, the people of Turkey are a testament to centuries of intermixing, forced assimilation, and cultural transformation.
Recognizing the truth of this shared heritage allows us to appreciate the richness of history, where cultural identity is often fluid and shaped by the blending of peoples rather than by simple origins. As an Iranian-American, I hope that understanding these facts fosters a greater appreciation of our intertwined past, encouraging respect for each other’s complex identities in today’s multicultural world.
Citations:
Hellenthal, G., Busby, G. B., Band, G., et al. (2014). "A Genetic Atlas of Human Admixture History." Science, 343(6172), 747-751. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1243518
Manco, U. (2020). "The Genetic and Cultural Landscape of Turkey: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Anatolian Origins." Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 46(4), 641-657. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2020.1719110
Arnaiz-Villena, A., Elaiwa, B. M., Juarez, I., et al. (2001). "HLA Genes in Turks Close to Kurds, Armenians, and Other Mediterranean People." Tissue Antigens, 57(2), 118-127. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1399-0039.2001.057002118.x
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