DNA to Test Theory of Roman Village in China

Reverse Gear writes "Many of the inhabitants of a lonely village in north western China seems to have distinctive western features. An old theory from the 50s suggests that a Roman legion lost in what is now Iran in the year 53BC lost their commanding officer. They traveled east, so the legend goes, working as mercenaries until they were caught by the Chinese 17 years later. The Chinese described them as using a 'fish-scale formation', which could be a reference to the well-known Roman phalanx technique called the 'tortoise'. The remainder of the legion, it is suggested, may have intermarried with the villagers in Liqian. Scientists are now trying to verify the fascinating theory by testing the DNA of the inhabitants of the Chinese village."

Comments

Why not?

[metushelach]

If the Egyptians (could have) sailed to South America and the Africans (could have) reached Australia and NZ, then this is really nothing compared to that.

It does, however, bring up the issue of the Chinese ego, which is already big as it is. Before you know it they will claim to all being decendents of Caeser or something.