Nikitas wrote:Wyoming wrote:
"What the geneticist concluded is that Cyprus along with many other Greek islands have similar or identical gene pools...Another point is that people in southern italy namely Foggia region have the identical gene characteristics as the Cypriots...Either the same Greek settlers that settled in Cyprus also settled in south Italy, or that Cyprus invaded and conquered southern Italy...or that the gene pool of Cypriots has not been changed since ancient times...."
I do not know about genetics but ravelling in Magna Grecia (Greater Greece) in souther Ialy is a moving experience. They speak a dialect similar to Cypriot. I can understand it while most mainland Greeks seem to need and interpreter. In some places there are big signs in the village entrance saying KALOSIRTATE, and the older generation are eager to exercise their Greek. The best part is to sit silent next to older people in cafes and listen to them speak in Cypriot!
They have been there for thousands of years, so most likely they are the remnants of the orginal Greek cities of southern Italy, the same bunch who came to Cyprus.
Wow, this must make uncomfortable reading for GR.