Similar Markers in Middle Eastern Populations

[Raven]

Hello,

I've read somewhere that some tests cannot distinguish between central Asian markers versus native American markers and that some people from the middle east show up as having Native American DNA when they actually do not. My grandfather is showing up as having a Native American ll marker. He was predominately Lebanese. It is possible that his family originated from Turkey so maybe the test was picking up Siberian? I understand how Iberian ties in since many Lebanese have deep Iberian ancestry. I'm just trying to figure out where the Native American is coming from. I believe he did have some French ancestry and I've also read about Native Americans being taken as slaves to France so I guess that is another possibility?

[jakayj]

Raven,

Present-day populations, those within the past few generations, carry genetic markers from ancestral populations. That your mostly-Lebanese grandfather's DNA shows some matches to markers in modern Native American populations may seem odd at first glance, but if we think about it, modern Natives and Lebanese likely have common ancestors.

Humans have migrated from one region to another, leaving genetic trails. The ancient Mediterranean lands were crossroads on land and by sea for migrations.

Your grandfather could show similar genes to Natives because they have the same ancestral population. The same is true when people show matches to South American populations with no knowledge or traceable record to that continent. Many Spanish and Portuguese -- and others -- migrated to South America as well as North America, leaving a genetic trail. The matches go back to the ancestors so the modern-day populations are genetic "cousins".

Hope this helps,

Jakay