Livonians 3 samples 23andme format

The Livonians were a Finnic-speaking people who inhabited the coastal areas of present-day Latvia and Estonia during the medieval period. They were part of the broader Baltic Finnic group, which includes Finns, Estonians, and other related populations. The Livonian language gradually declined under pressure from Germanic, Latvian, and Russian influences, and by the 16th century, it was increasingly marginalized. Efforts to document and preserve Livonian emerged much later, but the language remains endangered.

The Livonians were primarily a coastal people, engaging in Fishing and Maritime Activities, Agriculture, and trade.

In the 12th century, the Livonians were divided into small, autonomous tribal regions. However, the Northern Crusades brought dramatic changes. German crusaders, under the Teutonic Order, subjugated the Livonians, converting them to Christianity and incorporating their territories into the Livonian Confederation.

Livonians were converted to Christianity and subjected to feudal rule. German knights and clergy controlled much of their land, undermining Livonian autonomy.

Traditional Livonian dwellings were made of timber, reflecting the abundant forests of the region. Houses were typically one-room or two-room structures with thatched or wooden roofs. In response to external threats, some communities built hillforts with wooden palisades and earthworks, often near rivers or coastal areas. Under German influence, stone churches and castles were built in Livonian territories during the medieval period. While these were constructed by German rulers, Livonians contributed as laborers and craftsmen.

Livonian clothing was made from wool, flax, and animal hides, suited to the northern climate.

Married women wore headscarves or caps, while men wore woolen or fur hats in colder seasons.

For this video, I gathered the raw DNA of 3 medieval livonians from the 12th to 16th century estonia. With PCA based ethnicity calculators such as G25 they resemble modern estonians.

All three samples are male. One sample carries Y lineage J2b, while the other two carry Y lineage N3a3.