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Crusaders Woz Here
According to the American Journal of Human Genetics, a team of scientists has discovered a 'DNA signature' among men in Lebanon. Almost certainly related to medieval crusaders from Western Europe.
The research is from an organisation called the 'Genographic Project', a major effort to track human migration through analysis of old bones and current human DNA throughout the world.
Four crusades had business trips through the Middle East between the 11th and 13th centuries. The armies from England and France built castles - many of which still exist - and had 'human relationships' with the local female population.
The American study focused on the 'Y', or male, chromosome; genetic material that is carried only by men and is passed from father to son, more or less, a bit like a perpetual signature.
With the new resurgent power of Islam, it is pleasing to note that men from a different continent left their genes (not jeans) along the way.
Maybe the ladies of the Muslim faith (which took hold in ther 7th century) appreciated meeting new friends. Maybe they didn't.
But now the signs are there.
