The Genetic Challenge to Medieval History and Archaeology

This issue deals with a topic that may at first surprise a reader of a journal of global medieval history: the use of genetics in the study of the past. Genome analysis has hardly yet been addressed in the context of global history, although it certainly is a matter of global interest. The genomes of Richard III, of the descendants of Genghis Khan, or of the indigenous populations of North America and Australia have been the object of genetic study. Geneticists have addressed Bantu migrations (see Eggert in this issue) and Viking raids (see Hofmann here too). Methodological problems and, sometimes, public misconceptions are very similar across the globe. Still, 'genetic history' has not yet raised much interest among historians; if at all, profound skepticism has prevailed. In medieval history, Patrick Geary is one of the pioneers who have critically monitored the use of genetics for historical questions (see his contribution in this issue).