The Icelandic Canadian - 01.12.2008, Qupperneq 46

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THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Vol. 62 #1
Book Reviews
SAXONS,
VIKINGS,
AND CELTS
THE GENETIC ROOTS OF BRITAIN AND IRELAND
BRYAN SYKES
Saxons, Vikings and Celts
By Bryan Sykes
W. W. Norton, New York - London
307pages
Reviewed by Helen Sigurdson
Saxons, Vikings and Celts is a an excel-
lent book for anyone interested in genealo-
gy, especially those with roots in the
British Isles. Bryan Sykes, in a clear and
accurate way, helps the reader understand
the complex study of DNA and its role in
tracing ancestry.
Bryan Sykes is a professor of human
genetics at Oxford University. He is the
author of two other books, The Seven
Daughters of Eve and Adam’s Curse. The
former, became a New York Times best
seller. With the ease of a natural story
teller, Sykes explains how, with the use of
genetics and anthropology, it is possible to
trace the genetic make up of Europeans
back to seven primal women who he has
named, the Seven Daughters of Eve. The
second type of DNA, the male Y chromo-
somes which we get from our fathers,
Sykes has traced to five groups which he
has also named.
In the search for descendants of the
seven primal women he traced the move-
ment of early inhabitants of the British
Isles. As the earth’s temperature never
stays the same, hunters and gathers fol-
lowed migrating game as they followed
their food supply. There is a gap in fossil
records in the Isles between 12,000 and
26,000 years ago. There were probably no
inhabitants in the British Isles during the
Ice Age.
The DNA from the skeleton of a 9,000
year old man from Cheddar Grove in
Somerset is found to be a match of a local
teacher. Sykes had traced the teacher’s
ancestors back to a man who lived during
the Old Stone Age.
The powerful legend of King Arthur
had a strong influence on the history of
Britain. The myth of a race of giants living
in Britain, the magical power of Merlin and
the story of the two dragons are well
known and are laced with historical truths.
The myths of King Arthur have been used