For centuries, the history of the Huns, Avars, and early Hungarians has been entangled in legend, nationalism, and speculation. Often portrayed as shadowy invaders from an indistinct “East,” their origins have remained a subject of debate. However, two groundbreaking genomic studies published in Current Biology (Maróti et al., 2022) and Nature (Wang et al., 2024) now offer conclusive evidence: these peoples were not only nomads of the Eurasian steppe but had strong genetic ties to deep East Asia, shattering lingering myths about their roots.
The Avars: A Deep Genetic Trail to Mongolia
The Avars, who arrived in the Carpathian Basin in the 6th century CE, have long been suspected to originate from the Rouran Khaganate of Mongolia. The study published in Current Biology sequenced the genomes of 66 individuals from the Avar period, revealing that elite Avar individuals, especially from the early phase, carried up to 90% East Asian ancestry—an unprecedented genetic signal for that time in Europe. Their closest modern relatives? Populations from present-day Mongolia and northeast China.
A particularly compelling finding comes from the elite male Avar graves, where the Y-chromosome haplogroup Q1a, commonly associated with East and Northeast Asian groups, was predominant. This suggests not only a migration from Asia but also an elite lineage maintaining its genetic continuity across generations.
Leobersdorf Cemetery: Asian Ancestry in Austria
Further confirmation of this Eastern origin came from burials in the Leobersdorf cemetery in present-day Austria. Individuals associated with the Avar period there also showed significant East Asian genetic components, aligning them with the elite Avar profiles from Hungary. These findings suggest that the Avar migration involved not just warriors but also families, possibly including women and children, and extended across modern national borders.
The Huns: From Xiongnu to Europe
The Huns, often associated with Attila’s campaigns in the 5th century, have historically been linked to the Xiongnu Confederation, a powerful nomadic empire that harassed Han China. The 2024 Nature study reinforces this link by analyzing genomes of individuals attributed to the European Huns and identifying substantial East Asian ancestry, particularly matching ancient Xiongnu DNA.
This genetic continuity provides the strongest evidence yet that the Huns were direct descendants—or at least close relatives—of Xiongnu groups, thus anchoring their roots firmly in the Mongolian Plateau.
The Conquering Magyars: A Genetic Blend with Eastern Core
The early Magyars, who arrived in the Carpathian Basin at the end of the 9th century, also show significant East Asian genetic signatures. According to the Nature study, elite conquering Magyar individuals, particularly those buried with weapons and horse gear, carried up to 30-40% East Asian ancestry—a stark contrast to the modern Hungarian population. These findings indicate that the initial wave of Magyars included a core group with strong steppe and East Asian roots, who likely formed the ruling military elite.
Conclusion: Beyond Myth, Toward Genetic Clarity
These two studies together provide irrefutable evidence that the Huns, Avars, and early Magyars were not vague “barbarians from the East,” but complex societies with roots stretching deep into East Asia. Their migrations to Europe were not mere raids but demographic events involving entire communities. In short, far from being mythical or purely Europeanized, these groups carried the genetic legacy of the Mongolian steppe and left a permanent imprint on the history of Europe.
As ancient DNA continues to unlock the secrets of the past, it becomes increasingly clear: the history of Europe cannot be told without understanding the deep and enduring influence of peoples from the heart of Asia.
