A groundbreaking study led by Johan Oosthuizen challenges the traditional view of the ancient Israelites originating in Canaan. The research, published in May 2025, suggests their ancestry traces back to the steppes of Europe.
The study, which integrates genetic, historical, and cultural data, indicates that the Israelites migrated from regions associated with ancient steppe cultures in Northern and Western Europe around 1750 BC, with a significant genetic impact around 960 BC. Researchers analyzed DNA from ancient Lebanese populations, revealing a notable increase in genetic markers linked to steppe ancestry during the Iron Age.
These genetic markers, particularly in Y-DNA haplogroups R1b and R1a, are prevalent among European steppe populations but rare among earlier Canaanite groups. This genetic shift cannot be attributed to known invasions by groups like the Assyrians or Persians. The study proposes that the Israelites, initially maintaining lineage purity, introduced this genetic signature, gradually mixing with local groups over time, and Hebrew shares Indo-European etymological patterns.
The findings also highlight cultural parallels, such as the Israelites' ability to digest milk into adulthood, a trait linked to European ancestry, contrasting with the high lactose intolerance rates of ancient Levantine populations. This research prompts a reconsideration of the Israelites' origins, challenging the long-held belief that they were native Canaanites.
This knowledge enhances our understanding of human history and the interconnectedness of different populations. The study reopens the debate on the origins of the Israelites and their impact on the genetic landscape of the Levant.