Y-chromosomal Aaron: Encyclopedia II - Y-chromosomal Aaron - Criticism and response

Y-chromosomal Aaron - Criticism and response

Understandably, the finding led to a lot of excitement in religious circles, providing some "proof" of the historical veracity of the Bible [1] [2], but also leading to criticism [3].

Y-chromosomal Aaron - Was it Jacob?

One might argue that, from the premise of the study, all male Jews should share the same Y chromosome, because, according to the Bible, Aaron and Moses descended patrilineally from Jacob, the ancestor of all Jews. However, religious conversion and out-breeding (by intermarriage, adultery or rape) can be expected to have continuously introduced other sources of Y-chromosomal DNA into the Jewish community. Only those who are Kohen and Levite claim a direct male line back to Aaron, and it is in mostly these men that a unique haplotype has been found.

A relatively small number of men in the Jewish community who do not identify as Kohen or Levite have also been found to carry the haplotype. It is possible that this is because they too have a direct line back to Jacob. However, since it is possible for a Kohen to lose the status of Kohen, and since some amount of extra-marital associations can be expected in any community, there are other explanations for the presence of the DNA.

Y-chromosomal Aaron - Other carriers of the DNA

The Cohen Modal Haplotype has been also been found in significan numbers in groups of non-Jews, notably Italians, the Lemba of Southern Africa (Thomas MG et al 2000), and some groups of Kurds.

History records the migration of large numbers of Jewish slaves to Rome (what is now Italy), in particular in association with the building of the Colosseum.

Kurds have no direct tradition or history of Jewish lineage, but the area in which most Kurds live (Kurdistan) overlaps the ancient territory of Babylon, for which history records substantial (forced) Jewish immigration.

The Lemba claim they are one of the lost tribes of Israel. DNA evidence now supports this claim.

Y-chromosomal Aaron - Y-chromosomal Levi?

While Kohens are believed to have descended in the patrilineal line from Aaron, brother of Moses, Levites (a second level of Jewish priest) are believed to have descended in the patrilineal line from Levi, son of Jacob. Levites should also therefore share common Y-chromosomal DNA.

An investigation of men who consider themselves Levites in fact found two distinct markers. One marker, present in many Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish Levites, and in a majority of Spanish/Mediterranian (Sephardic) Jewish Levites, points to a common male ancestor roughly 3000 years ago. Another marker, however, is present only in Ashkenazi Jewish Levites, and points to a common ancestor about 1000 years ago.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Criticism and response", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki