A recent study of the prevalence of various Y chromosome variants has uncovered the genetic legacy of Genghis Khan. The Y chromosome, unlike all the rest, has only one copy. It pairs up with the X chromosome in males, and is absent in females who have 2 X chromosomes.
This means that the Y chromosome is passed unchanged from generation to generation of males baring any new mutations.
A study was being done of the prevelence of various Y variants and they found that in Asia approximately 16 million men share a certain Y chromosome. By studying the pattern of the spread of this Y chromosome they were able to determine that it could only be Genghis Khan who gave rise to it.
The average man from the era of Genghis Khan would expect to have about 800 decendents. Instead, Genghis Khan has 16 million! Why?
So Genghis Khan raped and murdered his way across Asia, and now his male descendent's account for 1/2% of the world population!
What does this say about the role of rape in human evolution? Genghis Khan may be the most successful known example of rape and murder as a reproductive strategy, but for millennia, the rule was "kill all the men and rape all the women". Even such recent conflicts as the Bosnian war seemed to rapidly degenerate into that sort of barbarism.
Is there a savage in each of us, buried within our DNA and the thin veneer of civilization just waiting for the chance to get out?
http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2003/2/8/214236/6651
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/02/0214_030214_genghis.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article669552.ece
This means that the Y chromosome is passed unchanged from generation to generation of males baring any new mutations.
A study was being done of the prevelence of various Y variants and they found that in Asia approximately 16 million men share a certain Y chromosome. By studying the pattern of the spread of this Y chromosome they were able to determine that it could only be Genghis Khan who gave rise to it.
The average man from the era of Genghis Khan would expect to have about 800 decendents. Instead, Genghis Khan has 16 million! Why?
Documents written during or just after Khan's reign say that after a conquest, looting, pillaging, and rape were the spoils of war for all soldiers, but that Khan got first pick of the beautiful women. His grandson, Kubilai Khan, who established the Yuan Dynasty in China, had 22 legitimate sons, and was reported to have added 30 virgins to his harem each year.
"The historically documented events accompanying the establishment of the Mongol empire would have contributed directly to the spread of this lineage," the authors conclude.
Or to quote Mr Khan himself:"The historically documented events accompanying the establishment of the Mongol empire would have contributed directly to the spread of this lineage," the authors conclude.
"The greatest joy a man can know is to conquer his enemies and drive them before him. To ride their horses and take away their possessions. To see the faces of those who were dear to them bedewed with tears, and to clasp their wives and daughters in his arms"
So Genghis Khan raped and murdered his way across Asia, and now his male descendent's account for 1/2% of the world population!
What does this say about the role of rape in human evolution? Genghis Khan may be the most successful known example of rape and murder as a reproductive strategy, but for millennia, the rule was "kill all the men and rape all the women". Even such recent conflicts as the Bosnian war seemed to rapidly degenerate into that sort of barbarism.
Is there a savage in each of us, buried within our DNA and the thin veneer of civilization just waiting for the chance to get out?
http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2003/2/8/214236/6651
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/02/0214_030214_genghis.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article669552.ece
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