Nat Commun January 2016 PMID 26783965

Iron Age and Anglo-Saxon genomes from East England reveal British migration history.

Stephan Schiffels, Wolfgang Haak, Pirita Paajanen, Bastien Llamas, Elizabeth Popescu, Louise Loe, Rachel Clarke, Alice Lyons, Richard Mortimer, Duncan Sayer, Chris Tyler-Smith, Alan Cooper, Richard Durbin

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Mentions

38
Peak: 5 in Nov 2025
across 3 sources since Jan 2016

Extended reach

552,692
potential audience

Total likes

8,949

Video views

487,211

Mentions per month

Jan 2016 – Dec 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter25 posts
  • News11 articles
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The collected discussions reflect a generally supportive attitude towards the research, highlighted by remarks like 'Very interesting video' and references to the genetic links between ancient populations and modern Britons. The tone varies from curiosity to critical analysis, as seen in comments questioning sources or emphasizing the scientific methods, which shows a thoughtful and engaged audience exploring the study's implications.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge and support the findings of the study, emphasizing its significance in understanding British migration history.

InterestHigh interest

Posts show high interest, with many recognizing the relevance of ancient DNA analysis to British ancestry considerations.

EngagementModerate engagement

Several users reference specific details from the study and express personal thoughts or connect it to broader debates, indicating thoughtful engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions seem to recognize the study's importance in shaping ongoing conversations about European migration and identity, though some critique sources or methods.

Abstract in brief

  • The study analyzed ancient genomes from East England and found that about 38% of the modern East English population's ancestry comes from Anglo-Saxon migrations, which began after 400 CE.
  • Using a new method called rarecoal, researchers determined that Anglo-Saxon individuals are genetically similar to modern Dutch and Danish populations, suggesting their origins.
  • The Iron Age samples showed shared ancestry with various Northern European groups, including early Britons, indicating a diverse genetic background before the Anglo-Saxon migration.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Ed Long
@edlonguk · X

@broughton_colin @MichaelRosenYes @CllrDavidTooke some years ago..findings which have been substantially invalidated since then with the advent of whole genome sequencing e.g. https://t.co/dK63E0B6xu If you want to cite actual science, "migration watch" is not the most respected of sources, for a reason.

Nov 26, 2021 · 6 likes · 630 followers View post →
Adrián Maldonado
@amaldon · X

@Heathstepper @MERC_Hub @HistArchChester @howardmrw The debate between archaeologists and geneticists has largely (and correctly) moved on to ancient DNA since then, this latest article notwithstanding, and there's examples now of how to work well together, even on touchy early medieval subjects, eg: https://t.co/6M1t3437rm

Sep 3, 2019 · 3 likes · 3,738 followers View post →
PammersMcK
@pammersmck · X

@Roccah101 @CptKosmo @isa44385440 @grok @KingSatine @tetro_silva @QuantumTumbler @TheCore1724808 @spaztictabby @des_bond @rubinas @BiancaBellChamb @tommy1ausdemTal @kratko8 @BulkleyVicki @BeauPrimo45 @IAmKebbie https://t.co/yRQx1pNTwg Good Morning Viking! I thought of you when I listened to this and the Vikings, all over both! @Roccah101

Nov 13, 2025 · 3 likes · 375 followers View post →
Desiree
@_Desi76_ · X

Interesting article Iron Age and Anglo-Saxon genomes from East England reveal British migration history. Modern-day East English population derives on average 38% of its ancestry from Anglo-Saxon migrants. Using rarecoal we find that the Anglo-Saxon samples are closely related to

Mar 24, 2025 · 2 likes · 1 share · 5,025 followers View post →
Rachel Scott
@IOMentalAlchemy · X

Norse Scot

Jul 25, 2025 · 2 likes · 1,638 followers View post →
Mark S. Harrington
@harringtonmarks · X

Differences Between Scottish & English DNA… https://t.co/AE955FHUho via @YouTube

May 26, 2025 · 1 like · 2,277 followers View post →

All mentions

Brad Duncan
@bradduncan1981 · X

Differences Between Scottish & English DNA… https://t.co/W9TOm5avcX via @YouTube So I'm "Scottish and English" ...not irish .

Dec 15, 2025 · 1 like · 255 followers View post →
29
@Melchioz29 · X

@JackTheLadd__ @Devotio52 Ma non erano franchi e non avevano fatto alcuna migrazione fino al IVsec, quanto all'inghilterra e ai 'germani' d'oltremanica... Iron Age and Anglo-Saxon genomes from East England reveal British migration history - PMC https://t.co/pWA7sQqtNh https://t.co/fc9xjoihh2

Nov 25, 2025 · 177 followers View post →
Sue Nutt
@SueNutt2 · X

Very interesting video. https://t.co/2JAxv7ji5b

Nov 18, 2025 · 2,861 followers View post →
Steff of Flanders
@SteffOfFlanders · X

The Truth About Ancient #Briton #DNA - #England’s Forgotten Ancestors … https://t.co/o5GaR1R6qO

Nov 15, 2025 · 513 followers View post →
PammersMcK
@pammersmck · X

@Roccah101 @CptKosmo @isa44385440 @grok @KingSatine @tetro_silva @QuantumTumbler @TheCore1724808 @spaztictabby @des_bond @rubinas @BiancaBellChamb @tommy1ausdemTal @kratko8 @BulkleyVicki @BeauPrimo45 @IAmKebbie https://t.co/yRQx1pNTwg Good Morning Viking! I thought of you when I listened to this and the Vikings, all over both! @Roccah101

Nov 13, 2025 · 3 likes · 375 followers View post →
SAADVY 2025
@2025Saadvy · X

RT @2025Saadvy: Differences Between Scottish & English DNA… - YouTube happy 5th https://t.co/ODmm25nEMt

Sep 24, 2025 · 1 share · 415 followers View post →
Rachel Scott
@IOMentalAlchemy · X

Norse Scot

Jul 25, 2025 · 2 likes · 1,638 followers View post →
Captain Robert April
@CaptainRobertA1 · X

Differences Between Scottish & English DNA… https://t.co/WoKa5Aui7T via @YouTube Well, I'm conflicted....

Jul 6, 2025 · 3,078 followers View post →
SAADVY 2025
@2025Saadvy · X

Differences Between Scottish & English DNA… - YouTube happy 5th https://t.co/ODmm25nEMt

Jul 5, 2025 · 1 share · 415 followers View post →
Brad Duncan
@bradduncan1981 · X

Differences Between Scottish & English DNA… https://t.co/a8WO5kwOzA via @YouTube TIME A DNA TEST LADIES,,,HOW PURE IS YOU MUFF ?

Jun 29, 2025 · 255 followers View post →
_Gigolo Joe_
@JosephAdamRober · X

For anyone who may find this interesting... Differences Between Scottish & English DNA… https://t.co/0Bb39PvPlQ via @YouTube

Jun 3, 2025 · 148 followers View post →
L
@L62804911 · X

https://t.co/7L5iIeycy9

Jun 3, 2025 · 1 like · 758 followers View post →
Mark S. Harrington
@harringtonmarks · X

Differences Between Scottish & English DNA… https://t.co/AE955FHUho via @YouTube

May 26, 2025 · 1 like · 2,277 followers View post →
Sir_Charlsss Unchained!
@Sir_Charlsss · X

RT @_Desi76_: Interesting article Iron Age and Anglo-Saxon genomes from East England reveal British migration history. Modern-day East Engl…

Mar 24, 2025 · 1 share · 22,511 followers View post →
Desiree
@_Desi76_ · X

Interesting article Iron Age and Anglo-Saxon genomes from East England reveal British migration history. Modern-day East English population derives on average 38% of its ancestry from Anglo-Saxon migrants. Using rarecoal we find that the Anglo-Saxon samples are closely related to

Mar 24, 2025 · 2 likes · 1 share · 5,025 followers View post →
Andrea Warren
@Chairfire · X

@WackyTwat @heathie0409 @DaveWimblePhoto @mrjamesob https://t.co/F04MoN69OL

Sep 17, 2023 · 62 followers View post →
Cait
@spaceangelvoice · X

https://t.co/bqgxGcvyOD https://t.co/OSf1XoBWYY https://t.co/O5ee9kUZEd basic reading, wont spam links no one will read, we'll focus on "the anglo-saxon migration and the formation of the early english gene pool" as basis for commentary its the most cited study i've seen on here.

Jul 10, 2023 · 608 followers View post →
CFC_Junior_
@CFC_Junior_ · X

@Earleelyfchek @Steve_Laws_ These are actual studies, not random cherry picked articles https://t.co/wJhxPfS0LW https://t.co/lmcUL8kQhr https://t.co/J6uFxFflJN https://t.co/EdIapZ60h0

Jun 23, 2023 · 278 followers View post →
Iron Ages
@IronAges · X

@PoTheDude @decentrxlized @Sargon_of_Akkad The science is pretty clear. Modern English are 38% Anglo-Saxon, whilst Modern Welsh and Scots are 30% Anglo-Saxon. Most of the remainder will be Celtic or earlier aboriginal inhabitants. https://t.co/Nknk06AEYZ

Mar 4, 2023 · 43 followers View post →
fbtztio
@fbtztio · X

@sam_autistic @bluesownbanks @Taj_Ali1 Resources here: Higham, Nicholas J.; Ryan, Martin J. (2013), The Anglo-Saxon World https://t.co/dQ3pCSR5YI https://t.co/utSnSRj53f Though not really sure why Germanic status is important to you? In the end all groups of the UK started off migrants.

Oct 31, 2022 · 12 followers View post →
Ed Long
@edlonguk · X

@broughton_colin @MichaelRosenYes @CllrDavidTooke some years ago..findings which have been substantially invalidated since then with the advent of whole genome sequencing e.g. https://t.co/dK63E0B6xu If you want to cite actual science, "migration watch" is not the most respected of sources, for a reason.

Nov 26, 2021 · 6 likes · 630 followers View post →
bioRxiv Published
@biorxiv_pubd · X

Iron Age and Anglo-Saxon genomes from East England reveal British migration history published as: https://t.co/aI90m322vF @naturecomms #biorxiv

Jan 3, 2020 · 2,903 followers View post →
hbd chick
@hbdchick · X

RT @hbdchick: Iron Age and Anglo-Saxon genomes from East England reveal British migration history https://t.co/NtfQ7OrV33 https://t.co/tDu3…

Nov 15, 2019 · 9 shares · 15,637 followers View post →
Adrián Maldonado
@amaldon · X

@Heathstepper @MERC_Hub @HistArchChester @howardmrw The debate between archaeologists and geneticists has largely (and correctly) moved on to ancient DNA since then, this latest article notwithstanding, and there's examples now of how to work well together, even on touchy early medieval subjects, eg: https://t.co/6M1t3437rm

Sep 3, 2019 · 3 likes · 3,738 followers View post →
Jonathan Knight
@jondknight · X

Iron Age and Anglo-Saxon genomes from East England reveal British migration history | Nature Communications https://t.co/xvOoifEdT0

Jun 15, 2019 · 734 followers View post →
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