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Credence for the Norse Sagas?

• Message 1.Μύ

  Posted by henvell (U1781664) on Sunday, 13th September 2009

  Dr David K Faux has posted a 42 page article on line
  :"The Genetic Link of the Viking-Era Norse to Central Asia"etc,2007.It can be found by Google and is a free download.It might be of interest to people,who have Norse ancestry.
  The Norse sagas Edda and Heimsskringla refer to the arrival of Odin and his followers from an Asian homeland.The author has endeavoured to provide genetic evidence to support this people movement.
  There are 3 Asian Y chromosome signatures among the Shetland,Iceland and Scandinavian samples.

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Idamante (U1894562) on Tuesday, 15th September 2009

  The prologue to the Prose Edda refers to the Norse Gods coming from Troy (in Asia) but this is usually taken to reflect (1) the influence of Latin literature, especialy Virgil and (2) the desire of the Christian author to turn the pagan gods into merely human ancestors ofthe Norse people.
  
  Ive not read Heimskringla but I would imagine its the same story there.
  
  Remember these books were written in the 13th century, so not really good evidence for what happened in prehistoric times
  
  

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  Posted by an ex-nordmann - it has ceased to exist (U3472955) on Wednesday, 16th September 2009

  
  Ive not read Heimskringla but I would imagine its the same story there.
  Μύ
  
  Actually it's not, even though both are credited to the same author/compiler.
  
  In the Heimskringla, Sturlason's geography is vague, even though he relates it to specific areas. He places Asia east of the Black Sea (correct) but also east of a river he calls both Tanaquisl and Vanaquisl, and which flows into the Black Sea from a non-specific direction. However since he also places this river in the area of the "mountains which lie outside all inhabited lands" the assumption is that he is referring to the Urals and the river is the Volga. This places Odin and his brothers in an area anywhere from Kazakhstan up to Siberia (all lumped together as "asia" in the saga).
  
  Faux's summary of what is generally accepted as likely from the archaeological record is correct, as far as I can see. There is undeniably evidence of migrations from central Asia/Siberia into Scandinavia even as recent as the 6th to 8th centuries CE (in fact more from that period than earlier). His genetic data seems to corroborate this. What it does not illuminate however is the question of an absolute origin for the Scandinavian people, or for the earliest inhabitants. It is still interesting all the same, as from a cultural standpoint it helps reinforce the theory that what is now known as "Norse" religion was not just lifted wholesale from a "German" root but owes more of its development to an Asiatic source than had previously been assumed. This has implications for how we evaluate the origin of the "Germanic" people encountered and described by Romans in the period well prior to 5th century CE.

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  Posted by Haesten (U4770256) on Sunday, 20th September 2009

  If as Faux claims, Odin died in Sweden circa 450AD, his great grandson, Hengest, landing in Kent circa 449AD is bit iffy?
  Possible I suppose, if Odin lived to well beyond 80 years.

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• Message 5

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  Posted by Haesten (U4770256) on Sunday, 20th September 2009

  Cerdic of Wessex being great grandson x 7 of Odin, would place him circa 630AD rather than landing in Hampshire circa 495AD.

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