A groundbreaking genetic study has provided new insights into the origins and diversity of populations that lived in Central Europe during and after the Hun Empire (late 4th–6th centuries). Researchers have discovered that while the Huns in Europe were ethnically diverse, some individuals can be directly linked to the elite of the earlier Xiongnu Empire—a powerful nomadic civilization that ruled the Mongolian steppe centuries before the Huns emerged in Europe.
Tracing the Origins of the Huns
The arrival of the Huns in Europe around 370 CE led to the formation of a short-lived but influential empire. For centuries, historians have debated whether the Huns descended from the Xiongnu, whose empire collapsed around 100 CE. This left a 300-year gap before the Huns appeared north and west of the Black Sea. The latest research aimed to determine if genetic evidence could connect these two groups.
To investigate this, scientists analyzed DNA from 370 individuals spanning 800 years (2nd century BCE–6th century CE) from sites across Mongolia, Central Asia, and Central Europe’s Carpathian Basin. Among them, 35 newly sequenced genomes from 3rd–4th century Kazakhstan and 5th–6th century Hungary were studied, focusing on high-status burials associated with steppe cultures.
Genetic Links Between Huns and Xiongnu Elite
The study, conducted as part of the ERC Synergy Grant project HistoGenes, involved an international team of geneticists, archaeologists, and historians, including experts from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany.
Findings revealed that while most Hun-period individuals in the Carpathian Basin had limited East Asian ancestry, some—especially those in distinctive "eastern-type" burials—shared genetic markers with elite members of the late Xiongnu Empire.
One striking example was a Hun-era individual in Hungary whose DNA closely matched that of a person buried in the largest known Xiongnu imperial tomb, suggesting a direct lineage between some European Huns and Mongolian aristocracy.
A Diverse Population in Central Europe
While some direct Xiongnu descendants were present among the Huns, the overall population in the Carpathian Basin was highly mixed.
According to co-first author Zsófia Rácz of Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest,
"DNA and archaeological evidence reveal a patchwork of ancestries, pointing to a complex process of mobility and interaction rather than a mass migration."
Unlike the Avars, who migrated directly from East Asia to Europe in the 6th century and retained strong genetic continuity, the Huns' journey westward took generations. Along the way, they integrated with numerous Eurasian populations, leading to a highly diverse population in Central Europe by the 5th century.
Co-corresponding author Walter Pohl of the Austrian Academy of Sciences explains:
"The Avars arrived in Europe directly after their East Asian empire was destroyed by the Turks, and their descendants still carried significant East Asian ancestry until around 800 CE. The ancestors of Attila’s Huns, however, traveled westward for generations, mixing with various populations across Eurasia."
Historical Implications and Future Research
The study highlights how Central European societies adapted to incoming populations. According to co-corresponding author Zuzana Hofmanová of the Max Planck Institute,
"Although the Huns dramatically reshaped the political landscape, their actual genetic footprint—outside certain elite burials—remains limited."
Rather than replacing local populations, the Huns blended into existing European societies, leaving a cultural rather than a large-scale genetic legacy.
Johannes Krause, director of the Department of Archaeogenetics at the Max Planck Institute, underscores the study's significance:
"This research showcases how cutting-edge genetic analysis, combined with historical and archaeological expertise, can resolve long-standing debates about ancient populations."
While many questions remain, this study provides compelling evidence of direct links between the European Huns, the Mongolian steppe, and the Xiongnu Empire—offering a clearer understanding of the vast networks connecting East and West Eurasia in Late Antiquity.
