Abriekman
08-03-2023, 12:11 PM
Genetic modeling using Global25 shows that Southwestern Ukrainians and Southern Poles share a genetic profile that is around 25-45% "Croatian-like", suggesting Balkanic influences.
Global25
Ukrainian Lviv Average
Target: Ukrainian_Lviv
Distance: 0.6336% / 0.00633560 | R3P
63.0 Ukrainian_Sumy
31.0 Croat
6.0 Croat_Bosnia
Southern Polish
Target: Polish:S_Polish-1
Distance: 1.6164% / 0.01616445 | R3P
62.8 Ukrainian_Rivne
24.0 Croat_Bosnia
13.2 German
There aren't many Southern Polish samples on G25, although I had my Polish parent tested and their results show that genetic profile. This suggests that part of Southern Poles share this genetic profile.
Target: Parent_(Polish_Eastern_Kresy)
Distance: 2.3656% / 0.02365620 | R3P
57.2 Ukrainian_Rivne
23.8 Croat_Dalmatia
19.0 Bosniak_Croatia
In this thread, let's discuss some potential explanations for this.
Theory 1: Carpathian Rusyns and Gorals
The Carpathian Mountain region straddling southern Poland, western Ukraine and eastern Slovakia has long been inhabited by ethnic groups like Rusyns and Gorals. If Rusyns/Gorals mixed with the wider populations of Southern Poles and Western Ukrainians, it could partially explain the affinity to Western Balkanic populations.
There were likely instances of intermarriage and gene flow between these Carpathian ethnic groups and the wider populations of Southern Poles and Western Ukrainians. For example, Rusyns living in the Polish and Ukrainian territories of the Carpathians may have integrated with local populations to some degree. This could have transmitted their significantly Carpatho-Balkan admixed genetic profile, resulting in the genetic influences seen today.
Theory 2: Austrian settlers from southern Habsburg lands
Austrians from southern parts of the Habsburg Empire did settle in southern Poland and western Ukraine (Galicia) to some extent during the late 18th and 19th centuries. If these Southern Austrian settlers carried a genetic signature interpreted as mainly "Croat/Bosnian-like", it could account for a portion of the modeled results.
This includes the Josephine colonization promoted by Emperor Joseph II in the late 18th century. Josephine colonists, many from southern Austria, were ethnic Germans who received privileges to settle in the region.
These Josephine colonists, along with other Austrian settlers and officials, could have carried genetic influences that we see while modelling Southern Polish and Southwest Ukrainian populations.
Theory 3: Influence of ancient Vlach populations
Vlachs could have intermarried with locals in Galicia over centuries, leaving a genetic trace that modeling picks up as an "Western Balkanic-like" influence on present-day Southern Poles and Western Ukrainians.
The Vlach explanation is questionable given the genetic profile of actual Vlach populations. Most Vlachs on G25 are genetically similar to Mainland Greeks, with significant Balkan and eastern Mediterranean influences. In contrast, the southern admixture seen in Southern Poles and Western Ukrainians seems to be more broadly western Balkan in nature.
Any thoughts?
Global25
Ukrainian Lviv Average
Target: Ukrainian_Lviv
Distance: 0.6336% / 0.00633560 | R3P
63.0 Ukrainian_Sumy
31.0 Croat
6.0 Croat_Bosnia
Southern Polish
Target: Polish:S_Polish-1
Distance: 1.6164% / 0.01616445 | R3P
62.8 Ukrainian_Rivne
24.0 Croat_Bosnia
13.2 German
There aren't many Southern Polish samples on G25, although I had my Polish parent tested and their results show that genetic profile. This suggests that part of Southern Poles share this genetic profile.
Target: Parent_(Polish_Eastern_Kresy)
Distance: 2.3656% / 0.02365620 | R3P
57.2 Ukrainian_Rivne
23.8 Croat_Dalmatia
19.0 Bosniak_Croatia
In this thread, let's discuss some potential explanations for this.
Theory 1: Carpathian Rusyns and Gorals
The Carpathian Mountain region straddling southern Poland, western Ukraine and eastern Slovakia has long been inhabited by ethnic groups like Rusyns and Gorals. If Rusyns/Gorals mixed with the wider populations of Southern Poles and Western Ukrainians, it could partially explain the affinity to Western Balkanic populations.
There were likely instances of intermarriage and gene flow between these Carpathian ethnic groups and the wider populations of Southern Poles and Western Ukrainians. For example, Rusyns living in the Polish and Ukrainian territories of the Carpathians may have integrated with local populations to some degree. This could have transmitted their significantly Carpatho-Balkan admixed genetic profile, resulting in the genetic influences seen today.
Theory 2: Austrian settlers from southern Habsburg lands
Austrians from southern parts of the Habsburg Empire did settle in southern Poland and western Ukraine (Galicia) to some extent during the late 18th and 19th centuries. If these Southern Austrian settlers carried a genetic signature interpreted as mainly "Croat/Bosnian-like", it could account for a portion of the modeled results.
This includes the Josephine colonization promoted by Emperor Joseph II in the late 18th century. Josephine colonists, many from southern Austria, were ethnic Germans who received privileges to settle in the region.
These Josephine colonists, along with other Austrian settlers and officials, could have carried genetic influences that we see while modelling Southern Polish and Southwest Ukrainian populations.
Theory 3: Influence of ancient Vlach populations
Vlachs could have intermarried with locals in Galicia over centuries, leaving a genetic trace that modeling picks up as an "Western Balkanic-like" influence on present-day Southern Poles and Western Ukrainians.
The Vlach explanation is questionable given the genetic profile of actual Vlach populations. Most Vlachs on G25 are genetically similar to Mainland Greeks, with significant Balkan and eastern Mediterranean influences. In contrast, the southern admixture seen in Southern Poles and Western Ukrainians seems to be more broadly western Balkan in nature.
Any thoughts?