The Huns, the nomadic warriors who devastated the Western Roman Empire, have long been a source of fascination and mystery for historians.
These formidable invaders, led by the infamous Attila the Hun, are often credited with accelerating the fall of Rome. But despite their impact on history, their true origins have remained elusive—until now.
A groundbreaking new study of ancient DNA has provided fresh insights into the diverse backgrounds of the Huns, revealing their complex and multifaceted heritage.
Unraveling the Origins of the Huns
The idea that the Huns were connected to the ancient Xiongnu Empire, which once ruled over large swaths of Mongolia and northern China, has been widely accepted among historians.
Many have noted similarities between the two groups—such as shared cultural practices, including skull modification and similar weaponry.
A recent study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), analyzed the DNA of 370 individuals from Hun-era burials across Europe, focusing on the Carpathian Basin—the region where the Huns settled.
The results show that the Huns were far more genetically diverse than previously thought, challenging the traditional narrative of a homogeneous invasion from the East.
The Genetic Diversity of the Huns
In this study, researchers, led by Guido Gnecchi-Ruscone, an archaeogeneticist at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, investigated the genetic makeup of the Huns by comparing their DNA with that of populations from Central Asia, including the Xiongnu. What they discovered was a complex tapestry of genetic influences spanning across northeast Asia, Europe, and other regions.
The study used a method called identity by descent (IBD) segment sharing, which identifies long DNA segments that were inherited from a common ancestor. According to Gnecchi-Ruscone, “the population of the Hun realm in Europe was genetically highly heterogeneous.”
The woman was buried with gold earrings, further suggesting a connection to high-status individuals from the Xiongnu period. Her genetic makeup revealed that she shared lineages with people from the Xiongnu empire.
A Complex History of Migration and Cultural Exchange
The study’s findings offer a fresh perspective on the Huns’ migration into Eastern Europe. Instead of a single, dramatic migration from the east, the Huns’ presence in Europe appears to be the result of a more intricate series of movements, interactions, and genetic admixture.
According to Gnecchi-Ruscone,”We find both male and female individuals buried in the rare and exceptional Hun period Eastern type burials.”
The Huns were not a homogeneous group; rather, they were a genetically and culturally diverse mix of peoples from across the Eurasian steppe. The study also hints at the possibility of elite marriage alliances or other forms of social integration that helped shape the Huns’ identity.
The Huns’ cultural practices—such as their skull modification rituals—may have been passed down through generations, with influences from both the Xiongnu and other nomadic groups.
