The Naked Ape

The study  Of Haplogroups ( see “Facts” above for information ) makes it possible to speculate on the history of  the human race for the last 50,000 years.

What is revealed is astonishing.  Based on  a knowledge of  the structure of DNA and the current distribution of Haplogroups throughout the world it is possible to speculate with reasonable confidence on massive movements of peoples.  In all probability great conflicts resulted as one group of peoples replaced another.  It gives edition visions of our remote past. But despite scientific overtones that his all it is no more than speculation. It is the opinion, often of a small community of specialists using a branch of science which is in itself in its early stages of development.

The study of DNA and in particular SNP’s inevitably requires the consideration of human behaviour and the planet we inhabit.

Mass Migrations

Y-DNA Hierachy It is clear from consideration of the Haplagroup hierarchy and the present day distribution of Haplogroups that there have been mass migrations. Some of these migrations were undoubtably caused by climatic change, others by conflict and war. The record is incomplete and the study impeded by recent attempts to propose racial superiority using genetic arguments.

The distribution of haplogroups also gives evidence of human sexuality. Once again the study is flawed, perhaps under the influence of modern-day political correctness.

More about the Mating Game

The Mating Game Ah! yes! I was beginning to speculate on the myriad of factors which underly natural selection and in particular the selection of partners. To continue. If a new elite, by invasion, migration or any other factor changed the genetic mix the haplogroup mix would inevitably change. But how? If the new elite brought women with them this could the change the distribution of both Y and X Haplogroups. However there have always been other factors at work. We do not have to go far back to discover that powerful men practiced poligamy and the number of children they were able to father and support was prodigious. In contrast, in Atlantic communities there were quasi-matrilineal practices which meant that daughters never left their patents home. They received a string of suitors and chose the bravest and strongest as partners. This legislated in favour of a continually replenished gene pool. As a general rule chastity coupled with parental control over the choice of partners tends to narrow the gene pool whereas liberality and multiple partners tends to widen the gene pool In the days of political correctness, This was expressed succinctly by Desmond Morris in his book the Naked Ape. He postulated that human women have an in-built predilection for multiple partners. He theorised that women could not avoid this as their natural instinct was to ensure the widest possible gene pool offering the maxim potential for success in their own offspring. A different argument is that powerful men have always been able to choose their partners on a basis of physical beauty rather than parentage, power or influence. Beauty seems to be independent of the sex determining chromosomes and is hidden away in one of the other twenty-two pairings. Minority Mt Haplagroups will therefore always survive. This should mean that will always be a wider spread of Mt Haplagroups than in the Y haplogroups in most geographical areas. The total dominance of one particular Y Haplogroup or Mt Haplogroup can also be prevented by cultural, or religious differences which preclude the free selection of marriage partners.The distribution of Haplagroups depends on a myriad of factors which affect the choice of partners and therefore the underlying process natural selection. If a new elite, by invasion, migration or any other factor were to change the genetic mix then the haplogroup distribution would change with it.  Not just the Y-haplogroups either. If the new elite brought women with them this would change the distribution of both Y and Mt Haplogroups.

However there have always been other factors at work. We do not have to go far back in history to discover that powerful men practiced poligamy and the number of children they were able to father and support was prodigious. In contrast, in many Atlantic communities there were quasi-matrilineal practices which meant that daughters never left their parents home. They received a string of suitors and chose the bravest and strongest as partners. This legislated in favour of a continually replenished gene pool.

However, as a general rule chastity coupled with parental control over the choice of partners tends to narrow the gene pool whereas liberality and multiple partners tends to widen the gene pool.

Sociology or Zoology

the-naked-ape

Before the days of political correctness, these issues were expressed succinctly by Desmond Morris in his book the Naked Ape. He postulated that human women have an in-built predilection for multiple partners. He theorised that women could not avoid this as their natural instinct was to ensure the widest possible gene pool offering the maxim potential for success in their own offspring.

A different argument is that powerful men have always been able to choose their partners on a basis of physical beauty rather than parentage, power or influence. Beauty seems to be independent of the sex determining chromosomes and is hidden away in one of the other twenty-two pairings. Minority Mt Haplagroups will therefore always survive. This should mean that there will always be a wider spread of Mt Haplagroups than in the Y haplogroups in most geographical areas.

The total dominance of one particular Y Haplogroup or Mt Haplogroup can also be prevented or encouraged by cultural, ethnical or religious differences which preclude the free selection of marriage partners.

Differentiation by Artefacts

Golden Shoes Traditionally investigations of various tribes or peoples has concentrated on archeological discoveries which in themselves lead to the identification of specific cultures, such as the "Hallstadt" or "La Tene" cultures, often defined by styles of building, burial, jewellery or domestic utensils. This illustration has been chosen as I think it gives a totally different perspective on who the “ la Tene” people were. These are not “shoes” they are 'foot decoration'. Incredibly they have something in common with our images of Egypt. Language is also considered important. Identification of language spoken and the group of languages the language belongs to can used to define "race". It is for this reason that the somewhat academic identification of the Ino european language grouping got mixed up with Hitler's Ayrian master race and the continuing fascination with white supremacy. On the other hand a lot of the genetic work currently being carried out in India is both racially and politically inspired. The may not recognise it in these terms but they want to establish Indian racial supremacy and deny that any Ayrian "invasion" of India every took place. They don't believe the Indo euopean language came to india but that india was the source of both language and civilisation for the rest of the world and particularly Western Europe. As the Indian experience shows, more recently DNA studies have come to the fore. The combination of DNA studies and the investigation of haplogroup distribution in regions and countries throughout the world has presented evidence of extensive migrations. These migrations may not have been invasions as such but just a gradual expansion of peoples with identifiable gene configurations into new territories. However each SNP mutations identified is considered to have happened once, in one individual, so the spread of the peoples carrying that mutation into territories already inhabited by other human beings will have inevitably have lead to some ancient wars, unrecorded except for dreamlike memories in ancient fables.Traditionally investigations of various tribes or peoples and the differentiation between peoples has concentrated on archeological discoveries which in themselves lead to the identification of specific cultures, such as the “Hallstadt” or “La Tene” cultures, often defined by differing styles of building, burial, jewellery or domestic utensils.

There is evidence however of some selectivity with regard to the artefacts chosen to illustrate the achievements or level of sophistication of the cultures studied. The “golden shoes” discovered on one of the “la Tene” sites gives a totally different perspective on who the “ la Tene” people were to the image projected by the more common displays of “la Tene” artefacts.

These are not “shoes” they are ‘foot decoration’. Interestingly in view of the Tutankhamun controversy they have something in common with images of Egypt.

Differentiation by Language

human_language_families_map Language is also considered important. Identification of language spoken and the group of languages the language belongs to can used to define “race”. It is for this reason that the somewhat academic identification of the Inbo-European language grouping got mixed up with Hitler’s Ayrian master race and the continuing fascination with white supremacy.

Hitler’s theories required an Arian invasion of India in order to explain the similarities between Sanscrit and the European languages and then a reverse migration back to Europe.

On the other hand a lot of the genetic work currently being carried out in India is both racially and politically inspired but in a totally different way. The Indian Scholars may not recognise it in these terms but there is in India a desire to establish Indian racial supremacy and deny that any Ayrian “invasion” of India every took place. They don’t believe the Indo_European language came to India but that India was the source of both language and civilisation for the rest of the world and particularly Western Europe.

Fact or Opinion?

European Haplogroups identifying Sub Clades This diagram and the accompanying text was initially included under “facts” . The diagram works in partial confirmation of the diagram in "facts" revealing the distribution of Haplagroup R1. It also shows the most prevalent sub clades on a geographical basis. It has been "demoted" to opinion because the information it contains is the subject of considerable discussion and some disagreement amongst core geneticists. Bear in mind that my decision to demote is, in itself, only opinion,As the Indian researchers show, the combination of DNA studies and the investigation of Haplogroup distribution in regions and countries throughout the world has presented evidence of extensive migrations. These migrations may not have been invasions as such but just a gradual expansion of peoples with identifiable gene configurations into new territories.

Nevertheless the spread of the peoples carrying that mutation into territories already inhabited by other human beings will have inevitably have lead to some ancient wars, unrecorded except for dreamlike memories in ancient fables.

Many of the diagrams used to illustrate the geographic  distributions of Haplogroups contain extrapolations from limited data sets. They may therefore be considered to be more opinion than fact.  One diagram attempts to show all the sub clades of R1 expressed in terms of their geographical dominance.

It must be considered opinion because the information it contains is the subject of considerable discussion and some disagreement amongst core geneticists. Bear in mind that the decision to consider this diagram opinion rather than fact, is, in itself, only opinion.

Stability of SNP’s

The R1b Hierachy This diagram showing the distribution of sub clades tells a more complex story. The building of this structure depends on the fact that each SNP occurs once and only once in a single individual and will not reverse. Each mutation is isolated to a small part of the DNA and therefore the portion which existed pre mutation can still be detected. Well at least that what I was told last week. However I now hear mutterings emerging from private chat rooms that SNP’s will from now on be only be accepted if they are “stable”. To me this means that some proposed SNP’s have shown themselves capable of reversal! This could challenge some of the assumptions made. There is an inherent Hierarchical structure in the "long names" for SNP's which is completely lost if only the "short" names are used. R1b1c (or v88) the North African or “Berber” mutation is a close relation but a totally separate branch to R1b1a2 (M269) which has been identified as Tutankhamun’s DNA. All the European mutations of R1b are subclades of Tutankhamuns R1b1a2. The master sub clade for Western Europe R1b1a2a1a1 (L11) is a the third mutation from the DNA possessed by Tutankhamun and whoever shared it with him in Egypt. R1b1a2a1 (L150) and R1b1a2a1a (L51) precede it. It is uncertain wether these mutations and L11 itself occurred in Europe or somewhere else. The favoured location for all three is being Anatolia /Armenia. L11 then migrated in two different ways, firstly to the Pyrenees (Basque country) and from there north to Western France and the British Isles and secondly and Quite separately overland to the Swiss/German borders. The L11 in the basque country then mutated into S116 which expanded into Spain and North Africa. S116 then produced Z196 and M193 L11 in Central Europe mutated into U106, underopinning the Halstatt, and possibly possibly La Tene cultures. In the British Isles L11 mutated into the Atlantic Modal Haplotype (AMH) which until recently was described only by current observable STR’ s but which is apparently now being defined it terms of SNP mutationsin work not yet published. Did you like all that! It is a hotbed of controversy and scientific argument. What there is little disagreement about is that one of R1b's mutants emerged fron Anatolia ( modern Turkey) and travelled to Spain, North Africa, Western France, Brittany and the British isles through the Pyrenees. The problem is that it apparently left behind in the Pyrenees a people who did not speak an Indo- European language. Hierarchical trees showing the development of mutations, particularly when they are shown against an estimated timescale must also be considered opinion.

The building of the Haplogroup hierarchy is firmly founded on the fact that each SNP occurs once  in a single individual and will not reverse. Each mutation is isolated to a small part of the DNA and therefore the portion which existed pre-mutation can still be detected. Well… at least that what I was told last week. However I now hear mutterings emerging from private chatrooms that SNP’s will from now on be only be accepted if they are “stable”. To me this means that some proposed SNP’s have shown themselves capable of reversal! This could dramatically challenge some of the assumptions made.

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Extract from The Prisoner of Foix--Chapter 43 -The EntranceNo need to buy a Kindle. Read it on your computer or tablet

John Stanley-26th April 1355

 

'Looks like we are going to see a bit of excitement, John. The Captain tried to get an agreement from the Prince that if there is surf running across the channel to Arcachon we will turn back to Bordeaux, but the Prince would hear none of it. Instead, he has offered to provide insurance for all three ships. If they are damaged or sunk, the owners will be compensated and every sailor who makes the passage will be given a bounty payment. What none of this seems to take into account is that if we sink in rough, fast-flowing waters we might all drown.'

John raised his eyebrows. 'But that is what we are going to do?'

'Yes, despite the fact that surf running accross the entrance is not uncommon and the deep water channel moves continually. In the end, the Prince attacked their captains on their weakest point, their professional pride! He threw down the gauntlet. He offered to take the Sally first through the channel, and to take control during the passage.' He raised his brow. 'We are going into the Bay of Arcachon, come what may! '

Extract from The Eagle of Carcassone -- Chapter 24-- A Real GoddessNo need to buy a Kindle. Read it on your computer or tablet

John Stanley - 22 July 1355

An hour later John walked with Ximene close to the river along the valley below St Feriole. It was the very essence of a summer’s day. The sun was fierce but in the shadow of the trees, it was cool and fragrant. The trees and shrubs along the riverbank hid their progress, from the Château, from St Feriole.

Eventually they reached a point where John thought it was safe to emerge from cover. To his satisfaction the stream extended into a pool with a sandy beach, shaded by trees. Where the stream entered the pool there was a flat grassy area, almost circular. Behind this, the bulk of two mountain ridges provided a splendid backdrop. He looked around once more ‘Not just a good training ground but a great training ground. If the Greek heroes knew about this they might be tempted to join me, to train with me’

Ximene laughed out loud. He turned to look at her. She had removed her outer clothes and was wearing a white chemise, cut short so that it barely reached her knees. Around her waist, she wore a plaited leather belt, obviously fashioned from the multitude of leather straps to be found in the tackle room.

She ran her hands down over her breasts. ‘When you were unconscious I heard you muttering about gods and goddesses, so  I have decided that from now on, for you, I will be the goddess.’

The Prisoner of FoixVol 1 of the series—The Treasure of Trencavel

Aquitaine, an English possession, is in crisis. It is under threat from neighbouring nations and internal dissension.

The Black Prince, King Edward III’s eldest son has been given the task of taking command in Aquitaine.

Suddenly there is an opportunity. Ximene Trencavel is the heiress to the lands of Occitan, to the east of Aquitaine: lands controlled by the Franks. Ximene wants independence, both for herself and for Occitan.

A union between Aquitaine and Occitan would be mutually beneficial. The Black Prince undertakes a secret journey to meet Ximene to negotiate a marriage contract. It is, however, a marriage neither of them really wants.

Meanwhile, the  Franks plot to murder Ximene to prevent ,not just the marriage, but any kind of union between England and Occitan.

The Eagle Of CarcassonneVol II of the series—The Treasure of Trencavel

The loose alliance between Ximene Trencavel and the Black Prince is under threat.

The Prince invades Occitan, to show his support for Ximene but it becomes an invasion which creates more problems than it solves.

The Prince has fallen hopelessly in love with Joan of Kent and Joan is now determined to marry him and become the next Queen of England.

Joan is therefore  determined to convince Ximene that she should not marry the Prince.

Part of her strategy is to encourage Ximene’s relationship with John Stanley—one of the Princes bodyguards—not an easy task as both John and Ximene have doubts about their compatibility.

However, John is grievously injured in a battle and Ximene commits herself to nurse him back to health.