In this episode we bring you the origins of the Sumerians with none other than the geneticist Razib Khan.

In this episode Mr. Khan explains passionately that if we could genetically type any ancient People, he would choose the Sumerians. Why? Because these are arguably the first historic nation. The first self-conscious ethnic group which operated by the rules which we define as the fundamentals of literate civilization. Strangely, they are an ethno-linguistic isolate.

He goes on to explain what the term ethno-linguistic isolate means and how it applies to these ancient peoples, who even though they interacted with their neighbors stood apart from their Semitic neighbors like the Akkadians until later they became absorbed entirely through military and cultural conquests but that their legacy stays with us today in various forms including how we tell time.

He goes on to explain what his original model was for the origins of the Sumerians and how it changed over time and why?

What does his current model tell us about the Sumerians and their origins and foundation within ancient Mesopotamia?

Why are we struggling to genetically type populations in modern Iraq and Iran? How has Covid 19 made studying ancient history and peoples harder?

And finally, Mr. Khan hits us with his predictions of what we will learn the next decade when it comes to ancient DNA studies.



Support Mr. Khan and his awesome work below!

Website: https://razib.substack.com/

Razib Khan: https://www.razib.com/bio/wordpress/

Twitter:   / razibkhan  

Original Article discussed: https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-...

Celebrate the birthplace of civilization and get our Sumerian Shirt | Hoodie | Coffee Mug today!

CLOTHES: https://teespring.com/Sumerian-Clothi...

COFFEE MUGS: https://teespring.com/sumerian-coffee...


Check out our new store! https://teespring.com/stores/the-hist...

Get your Sea Peoples | Late Bronze Age Merch below!

Mugs: https://teespring.com/new-sea-peoples...

Hoodies | Shirts | Tank Tops: https://teespring.com/get-sea-peoples...



Get your Hittite Merch below!

Mugs: https://teespring.com/HittiteEmpireMu...

Shirts | Tank Tops | Hoodies: https://teespring.com/hittite-empire-...



Trojan War Merch Below!

Mugs: https://teespring.com/trojan-war-coff...

Tank Tops | Shirts | Hoodies: https://teespring.com/TrojanWarShirt?...



To support the channel, become a Patron and make history matter!

Patreon:   / the_study_of_antiquity_and_the_middle_ages  

Donate directly to PayPal: https://paypal.me/NickBarksdale

Enjoy history merchandise? Check out affiliate link to SPQR Emporium!
http://spqr-emporium.com?aff=3

*Dislaimer, the link above is an affiliate link which means we will earn a generous commission from your magnificent purchase, just another way to help out the channel!

Join our community!

Facebook Page:
  / thestudyofantiquityandthemiddleages  

Twitter:   / nickbarksdale  

Instagram:   / study_of_antiquity_middle_ages  

Facebook Group:   / 164050034145170  

ATTRIBUTION:
BRITISH MUSEUM 🏛️ Looted treasures and the 'Mesopotamia' collection (London)
   • BRITISH MUSEUM: 'MESOPOTAMIA' galleri...  

Louvre Museum - Sumerian Civilization
   • Louvre Museum - Sumerian Civilization  

THE LOUVRE: Stunning 🏛️ ancient Mesopotamia exhibits in Paris - Let's go!!
   • THE LOUVRE: Ancient MESOPOTAMIA exhib...  

The Wonders of Ancient Mesopotamia
   • The Wonders of Ancient Mesopotamia  

The Standard of Ur
   • The Standard of Ur  

The Standard of Ur 烏爾軍旗 貝殼，青金石，灑青公元前2500，伊拉克 Shell, lapis lazuli, red limestone 2500 BC Iraq
   • The Standard of Ur 烏爾軍旗 貝殼，青金石，灑青公元前2...  

The Standard of Ur and the Ram in the Thicket
   • Video  

Map of the Akkadian empire by https://www.deviantart.com/zalezsky