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Genetics, archaeology and the far right: an unholy Trinity

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

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Authors

Abstract

Recent advances in archeogenetics have revived an interest in grand narratives in which ethnic groups are once again thought to be agents of historical change. New scientific developments are generating a sense of optimism that difficult questions in palaeodemography may at last be solved. However, genetic research often uncritically makes use of essentialist models of past populations, reifying genetic populations as ethnic groups. This paper explores how such views of the past may play into notions of racial purity and fears of non-European migrants stoked by adherents of far-right ideologies.

Description

Keywords

Archaeogenetics, culture history, migration, Far Right

Journal Title

World Archaeology

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0043-8243
1470-1375

Volume Title

51

Publisher

Informa UK Limited

Rights

All rights reserved