Many remain skeptical about archaeogenetics, arguing that genetic research cannot answer questions about an individual's past culture or identity. The complexity of identity, culture, and biological ancestry makes it challenging to reconstruct historical identities.
However, archaeogenetics provides undeniable insights into biological sex, certain diseases, genetic ancestry, and familial relationships. Group-level reconstructions of ancient genomes can reveal how past populations moved and interacted, though these findings must be contextualized with historical sources and archaeological evidence to avoid simplistic group identity concepts.
Research has primarily focused on elite burial sites, but recent studies have examined commoner village cemeteries. The aim was to investigate genetic differences and similarities between village and elite groups, shedding light on population changes in the Carpathian Basin before and after the Conquest.
Findings indicate that the genetic composition of both groups is highly heterogeneous. The elite cemeteries show a significant presence of East Eurasian maternal and paternal lines (30-40%), while the commoner cemeteries exhibit a decrease in these elements due to local admixture. Evidence suggests that descendants of the incoming groups maintained these genetic lines.
The commoner group’s maternal line composition significantly differed from the elite group, indicating distinct origins. Population genetic analyses revealed that the commoner group is primarily related to European and Near Eastern populations, while remaining genetically distinct from the elite group.
Research indicates that the commoner population largely descends from earlier inhabitants of the Carpathian Basin, with archaeological evidence supporting that many survived the Conquest. The presence of East Eurasian maternal lines in the commoner group suggests admixture with incoming groups, likely Avars and/or the elite from the Conquest.
Current estimates suggest that the original population of the Carpathian Basin during the Conquest may have been around 80-90%, with the incoming groups being a minority. The integration of the local population occurred rapidly, forming the basis of the medieval Hungarian population.
Genetic analyses of maternal lines link to various archaeological cultures, including those present since the Neolithic. The genetic makeup of modern Hungarians reflects a rich history of migration and cultural interaction, incorporating elements from numerous haplogroups.
Future research aims to explore genetic materials from burial sites in the Ural region and steppe, which could provide further insights into the origins of the Conquest populations and clarify historical narratives regarding the connections between the Huns and Hungarians.