• frog@feddit.uk
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    3 days ago

    Genetic testing in 2005 revealed that 56% of the DNA of some Zhelaizhai residents could be classified as Caucasoid but did not determine their origins. A subsequent DNA study in 2007 found that “paternal genetic variation” did not support “a Roman mercenary origin” and that the modern population of Liqian was consistent genetically with it being a “subgroup of the Chinese majority Han.”

    • PugJesus@piefed.socialM
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      3 days ago

      Considering that the Romans themselves regarded ancestors as a matter of respect and acknowledgement rather than direct bloodline descent, I think they get a pass just by paying their dues to their GOOD, PROPER, ROMAN ancestors o7

      tbf, even a handful (instead of a large amount) of Roman veterans carted east by the Persians and then resettled after being captured by China would make the legend technically true, just not meaningfully traceable.

    • Taleya@aussie.zone
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      2 days ago

      'Twas Amir, the travelling silk trader with mad pussy eating skills. The ladies went bananas for that fucker.

      Also holy crap we still use caucasoid? I thought that died out decades ago

  • AllNewTypeFace@leminal.space
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    2 days ago

    I wonder if a Chinese person who believes themselves descended from the Romans has ever met one of the Japanese people who believe themselves descended from Jesus Christ (who reportedly survived the crucifixion and traveled east, settling in Japan, having many children and living to an old age)

    • lord@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      Or that Chinese man that claimed to be Jesus brother, only for him to cause the death of 40 million people.