No. A 'Dacian' identity probably did develop. Any population living together in a certain geographic area for a number of centuries will develop a common identity, especially when they are at war against a common enemy (in this case Rome). What we see is a gradual merging of elements of the Thracian, Celtic and Scythian cultures who lived in this area into a 'Dacian' identity.
Compare the example of the Celtic Scordisci in Thrace during the same period who are refered to by the Romans as 'Thracians' because they had settled in Thrace, just as Rome (perhaps logically) referred to all barbarians who lived in the area of Dacia as 'Dacians'. However, geographic situation does not indicate ethnic origin.
With research into the Thracian language we have a domino-effect. The myth of a 'Pure Thracian Thrace' created by Thracologists since the 1970's has led to the flawed presumption that everyone who lived in that region was a 'Thracian'. This in turn has meant that the reconstruction of the ancient Thracian language has been based on a pool of linguistic material which has included many non-Thracian elements (for example Celtic names being treated as Thracian), thus leading to completely warped conclusions.
http://balkancelts.wordpress.com/201...mes-in-thrace/
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