Archaeogenetic analysis revealed East Eurasian paternal origin to the Aba royal family of Hungary

AI interpretationAI-generated

Aba royal family's paternal line traces back to East Eurasia, likely via conquering Hungarians.

This study analyzed ancient DNA from 19 individuals buried at Abasár, the political center of the Aba clan in medieval Hungary. By combining whole genome sequencing and radiocarbon dating, researchers identified six members of the Aba family. Four males shared the same Y-chromosome haplogroup, N1a1a1a1a4~, which phylogenetic analysis links to Mongolia. This suggests the Aba royal paternal lineage arrived in the Carpathian Basin with the conquering Hungarians. Genome-wide analyses also revealed East Eurasian ancestry components in these individuals.

• Four male Aba family members carried the identical Y-haplogroup N1a1a1a1a4~, tracing back to Mongolia.
• The Aba paternal lineage likely migrated to the Carpathian Basin with the conquering Hungarians.
• Genome-wide analyses (ADMIXTURE, PCA, qpAdm) showed East Eurasian ancestry patterns in the studied genomes.
• IBD analysis confirmed close kinship among six Aba family members and revealed connections to prominent Hungarian noble families (Árpáds, Báthorys, Corvinus) and first-generation conqueror elites.

Sample interpretation

Among 20 site samples, 18 had resolved Y-haplogroups. The most common Y-haplogroup was N-FTG22002 (4 samples), corresponding to the Aba royal lineage. Other Y-haplogroups included R-FTE11313 (2), and single occurrences of R-BY29685, R-Y105766, I-S6687, R-Y14134, R-YP1337, and I-Y4460. Mitochondrial DNA was diverse, with R0b1b appearing twice, and T2, H1b1b, I1b, H6a1b3, T1a1 each once. This mix reflects the broader genetic landscape of the community.

For genealogy enthusiasts

For ancestry enthusiasts, this study shows that a major Hungarian royal family had East Eurasian paternal roots, highlighting the genetic impact of the conquering Hungarians. It also demonstrates how ancient DNA can link historical noble families and reveal their deep origins.