Volhyn Ukrainian_North.HO 23andme format files

Exploring the Genetic Blueprint of Volhynia: A Deep Dive into Western Ukrainian DNA

Volhynia is a land defined by its history—from the heart of Kievan Rus to the frontiers of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. But what do the genes of its modern inhabitants tell us about this storied past?

In this video, we analyze the genomes of 8 ethnic Ukrainians from Rivne using academic tools like qpAdm and F2 statistics. We trace their ancestry from the Neolithic Anatolian farmers and Hunter-Gatherers through the Bronze Age Indo-European migrations, and finally to the formation of the Slavic identity.

In this episode:

Ancestry Modeling: We break down the Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age components, including the presence of "exotic" Neosiberian admixture.

Genetic Distance: See how Volhynians compare to Belarusians, Lithuanians, Poles, and even the Arkhangelsk Pomors.

Phenotype Predictions: Data on eye color, hair texture (surprisingly no straight hair!), and the prevalence of the Dinarid phenotype.

Health & Traits: Insights into predisposition for restless leg syndrome, high empathy (OXTR), cardiac health, and unique risks like Polycythemia Vera and Celiac disease.