Can genetic tests prove a connection to Jochi – an expert from the genetic laboratory TreeGene

Earlier, we talked about how the Kazakh people trace their origins back to the Ulus of Jochi, a state created by Genghis Khan's eldest son based on historical data. However, historical evidence and archaeological excavations are only part of the picture. Now we want to find out if this connection can be confirmed using modern technology, namely DNA genetic testing, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.

We discussed with Dina Mukushkina, head of the TreeGene laboratory, which conducts DNA testing in Kazakhstan, how modern DNA testing technologies can be useful in studying the history of Kazakhstan.

About DNA testing and haplogroups

According to expert Mukushkina, genetic tests make it possible to examine both the Y chromosome, which is transmitted through the male line, and mitochondrial DNA, which is transmitted through the female line.

One of the key tools for this is the analysis of haplogroups, that is, populations of people with the same genetic markers, which help to trace the migrations and family ties of ancient peoples.

“It is perhaps even more convenient to study the Y chromosome, since the migrations of a particular Y chromosome haplogroup are closely linked to historical events, such as the conquest of territories and the migration of peoples, for example, the Mongol invasions. The invaders came, conquered territories and spread their genetic line.

Mitochondrial DNA, unlike the Y chromosome, is more difficult to study, since it was constantly moving. For example, women could be taken from one territory and taken to another, where they passed on their mitochondrial DNA to their descendants. Therefore, its distribution has more blurred boundaries. The distribution of Y chromosomes gives a clearer picture,” says Mukushkina.

The head of the TreeGene laboratory notes that there are haplogroups that are characteristic of certain groups, for example, the Caucasian peoples, where high percentages of the haplogroup distribution are localized within these peoples. However, one haplogroup can include several peoples, just as one people can be represented in different haplogroups.

“This relationship shows that the history of peoples has always been closely connected with the mixing of genetic lines. Today we know various ethnic groups, but their history has always been, to one degree or another, the result of the mixing of populations. We study precisely those processes that took place before groups fully formed to understand where it takes its roots,” adds Mukushkina.

The expert also notes that the larger the population coverage, the more accurate the picture.

“We are all connected through genetic markers that are now distributed among different peoples and countries. When we provide test results, a person may consider himself (herself) a Kazakh according to his (her) passport, but his (her) genetic markers may be more common among other ethnics. For example, Kazakh markers may make up only 7-8% of his (her) DNA, while among Italians these markers are common in half the population,” notes Mukushkina.

The expert notes that if we talk about the Kazakh people in the male line, then the majority of men, according to their data, are represented by haplogroups and subclades that come from the Mongols - about 50%. The remaining 50% are Middle Eastern and European haplogroups.

For example, the Middle Zhuz (tribal division within the ethnic group of the Kazakhs - Editor’s note) displays European and Middle Eastern haplogroups, while the Elder Zhuz consists almost entirely of subclades originating from the Mongols. The Younger Zhuz also partially includes Middle Eastern and Mongolian subclades. Chinese subclades are also found in the Middle Zhuz.

Can DNA tests confirm the connection to Jochi?

Mukushkina notes that DNA tests can be useful for finding suspected relatives, as well as helping people who do not know their ancestry to come closer to understanding their roots. But is it possible to confirm the connection of Kazakhs with Jochi in this way?

The expert notes that DNA can indicate belonging to a haplogroup associated with ancient peoples, but it is still difficult to prove direct kinship with a specific historical figure, such as Jochi.

In order to confidently confirm descent from a specific historical figure, such as Jochi, more data is needed. This requires genetic material from reliable archaeological sources and, in addition to Y chromosome markers, it is also necessary to conduct research on SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism). These are changes or variations of one nucleotide (the basic building block of DNA) in a certain position of the genome.

Is it possible to know exactly where our ancestors lived?

Genetic tests provide data on ancestral migrations, but they cover very long time periods. For example, studies show that haplogroup C2 may have spread to Central Asia over the past few thousand years, but this does not give an exact answer to where exactly the ancestors lived at a particular point in history, especially at the level of individual generations.

DNA tests can give a general idea of ​​where your ancestors lived based on matches with other samples in databases. However, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly in what century and where your ancestors lived. There is even a map of haplogroup migration. For example, there are conditional European groups that migrated west, and Asian groups moved east.