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This Section Adapted From
'Mound Builders: Edgar Cayce's Forgotten History of Ancient America'
from
EdgarCayce Website
DNA analysis on Native Americans began
in the 1980s, but with rapid technological improvements, research
intensified in the early 1990s, Several teams of genetics
researchers at prominent American universities have been conducting
numerous studies- Although results from early studies showed the
expected Siberian-Asia ancestry of the majority of modern Native
American tribes, things took an unexpected turn in 1997.
At that point it was found that a small
percentage of modern Native Americans have an unusual type of DNA
then known to exist only in a few locations in Europe and the Middle
East. Subsequent research indicated that the European DNA was not
the result of genetic mixing after Columbus. In addition, the same
DNA was later found in the bone of an ancient American burial
confirming that people carrying this unique DNA had entered America
in ancient times. However, in July 2001, this unique gene was also
found in a small tribe living in the northern Gobi Desert area.
The DNA research initially seemed to
promise solid proof of not only where the ancient Americans came
from, but also when they came. However, as might be expected,
ancient DNA research has become a highly contentious issue with
several competing sides.
Most of the DNA research on Native American Indians has been done
utilizing mitochondria. Every cell In our body contains hundreds to
thousands of these tiny, football-shaped organelles. The
mitochondria process glucose (sugar) into a usable form of energy
for all of our body's functions. The mitochondria are believed to be
an evolutional form of bacteria that adapted into a symbiotic
relationship with multi-celled life forms. Thus, the mitochondria
have their own unique DNA, which is simpler and easier to analyze
than the human DNA found in the nucleus.
Mitochondrial DNA (usually abbreviated as mtDNA) is
passed to offspring only through the egg. Thus, it is not a
combination of male and female genes. It is a haploid gene — meaning
that it has only one dose of chromosomes. The haploid mitochondrial
DNA shows only the female lineage of a person. Diploid genes are two
sets of combined chromosomes, the female set coming from the egg,
the male chromosomes from the sperm.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is categorized into several types
and groups termed haplotypes and haplogroups. That is, there are
variations in the genetic code of mitochondria that fit into
clusters. These clusters can trace lineage far back into time.
There
are 39 different, distinct mtDNA groups into which all humans fit
and there are variations on these types.
While mtDNA analysis is not only easier than other forms of genetic
testing, it has a further advantage. All DNA mutates over time. But
mtDNA has a fairly steady rate of mutation that permits a reasonably
accurate estimate of exactly when a particular group of people
migrated from their primary group.
Thus, two important factors can
be determined through analysis of mtDNA.
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First, a living person (or
the mtDNA from the remains of a deceased person) can be tested to
determine the specific racial group from which the Individual came.
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Secondly, the approximate time when that Individual's ancestors
migrated from their primary racial group can be determined.
One way to view mtDNA testing is that it may be able to provide a
racial family tree extending back to the beginning of humanity. The
current idea in mtDNA analysis is that ancestry on the female side
can eventually be traced back to a genetic "Eve." The 39 types of
mtDNA were presumably derived from this Eve.
Whether this idea will be completely
confirmed by research remains to be seen. However, mtDNA testing has
confirmed several oral traditions passed down through many
generations in several tribes. For example, the indigenous people of
Hawaii and Polynesia have long asserted that their ancestors
frequently traveled back and forth and that they shared ancestry.
Genetic testing showed that these two
groups were related and confirmed the migratory legends of these
peoples.
Confirming the Siberian Migration
The first research on living Native American tribes showed they were
comprised of four distinct mtDNA haplogroups called A, B, C, and D.
This means that the Native Americans are derived from four different
lineages. These haplogroups were also found in native populations in
Central and South America. Later mtDNA research utilizing ancient
remains recovered in the Americas validated these four haplogroups.
Three of these haplogroups, A, C, and D
are found primarily in Siberian Asia. The B haplogroup, however, is
found only in aboriginal groups in Southeast Asia, China, Japan,
Melanesia, and Polynesia.
Confirming a South Pacific and Japanese
Migration
Based on the mutations found in the mtDNA, most researchers think
that groups A, C, and D entered America from Siberia across Beringia
some time around 35,000 B.C. Group B, they assert, probably came to
America from the South Pacific or Japan via boats. It is believed
the B groups began this migration not long after the A, C, and D
groups arrived. However, the majority of the B group arrived about
11,000 B.C. This leaves open the possibility of several migrations
by the B group from different locations.
It should be noted that a few geneticists have proposed that each of
these four haplogroups came in four separate migrations. And many
Clovis supporters argue that all the groups migrated together.
An Unknown and Unexpected Migration
Group Confirmed
In 1997, a fifth mtDNA haplogroup was identified in Native
Americans.
This group, called "X," is present in three percent of
living Native Americans, Haplogroup X was not then found in Asia,
but was found only in Europe and the Middle East where two to four
percent of the population carry it. In those areas, the X haplogroup
has primarily been found in parts of Spain, Bulgaria, Finland,
Italy, and Israel.
In July 2001, a research letter was
published in the American Journal of Human Genetics, relating that a
few people with the "X" type had been identified in a tribe located
in extreme southern Siberia. These people, called the Altasians, or
Altaics as Russian geneticists refer to them, have always lived in
the Gobi Desert area. Archaeologists and geneticists are certain
that the presence of "X" in America is not the result of historic
intermarriages. It is of ancient origin. In addition, the "X" type
has now been found in the ancient remains of the Basque.
Among Native American tribes, the X haplogroup has been found in
small numbers in the Yakima, Sioux, and Navaho tribes. It has been
found to a larger degree in the Ojibway, Oneota, and Nuu-Chah-Nulth
tribes. The X haplogroup has also been discovered in ancient remains
in Illinois near Ohio and a few other areas near the Great Lakes. It
has not (so far) been found In South or Central American tribes
including the Maya.
The X haplogroup appears to have entered America in limited numbers
perhaps as long ago as 34,000 B.C. Around 12,000 B.C. to 10,000 B.C.
it appeared in much greater numbers.
It is important to note that not all
Native American tribes have been categorized by mtDNA analysis and
that relatively few ancient remains have been tested.
The Significance of mtDNA Research
The mtDNA research confirms most of the other new findings in
archaeology. The Americas were settled early and many different
racial groups came. Several different waves of migration probably
occurred. The Initial wave seems to have occurred around 35,000 B.C.
However, It may have been far earlier since some of the recent
radiocarbon dates that have emerged from areas like California and
the southwest point to 50,000 B.C.
But it must be kept in mind that mtDNA
analysis is still in its infancy. Not all current Native American
tribes and very few remains have been tested. But the picture the
mtDNA research findings paint of ancient America is astonishing.
It may seem that the apparent widespread presence of the X type
(from Canada and Washington State, to Arizona, to the Plains, to the
Great Lakes area) could indicate a wide initial dispersal. However,
the history of several of these tribes tells a different story.
The X type in ancient America appears to be linked to the Iroquois.
This tribe, of course, was, according to Cayce, partly the remnant
of Atlantean survivors from its final destruction in 10,000 B.C. The
finding of the X group In the north Gobi-dwelling Altasians is
hailed as proof that all American migrations came from Siberia via
the Bering Straits, yet it seems unlikely. With the X type being
present in the Middle East, Europe, the ancient Basques, and
America, a migration from the Gobi to all of these areas is
doubtful.
The Cayce readings cite a series of large and small migrations of
Atlanteans to very specific parts of the world. These migrations
occurred at several times, but especially during the years
approaching 10,000 B.C. One of these places was to the Gobi in
extreme southern Siberian Asia. If we assume that haplotype X
originated from Cayce's Atlantis, some of the X haplotype should be
found in the Gobi region — but very little of this group should be
found elsewhere in Siberia.
This is what has been found.
B Haplogroup may Originate from Mu
The B haplogroup, found only in aboriginal groups in Southeast Asia,
China, Japan, Melanesia, and Polynesia, may represent Cayce's people
of Mu. Both Chinese and Japanese archaeologists take the idea of Mu
seriously, and the B haplogroup findings closely match the story
Cayce told about the continent. Most of the people of Mu who escaped
the destruction in 50,000 B.C. escaped to China, India, and Japan.
Some time later, descendants of these
peoples could have traveled to America. While Cayce said that some
people from Mu entered the Americas about 50,000 B.C., he did not
indicate that date as the time period when the majority of them
came.
We only know that it was after 50,000
B.C. and prior to 28,000 B.C.
A, C, & D Haplogroups - From Siberia?
The Cayce readings do indicate that people entered the Americas from
both the east and west in 28,000 B.C. These migrants came from
Atlantis, China, and from "across the Pacific." The 28,000 B.C. date
matches well with the haplogroups A, B, C, and D proposed dates of
entry into America. The Cayce readings do have references to the
Bering Straits, but Cayce did not relate that there were migrations
across it. In fact, no one ever thought to ask him about this, so it
remains an open question in the Cayce story.
But the A, C, and D haplogroups clearly
originated in Siberia just as the archaeologists have speculated.
Cayce stated that the "yellow" or Mongol race of humanity originated
In the Gobi and gradually spread throughout Asia.
Thus, according to Cayce, haplogroups A,
C, and D probably originated in the Gobi and would be the migrations
Cayce cited as coming from "across the Pacific".
The Atlantean Haplogroup may be X
Cayce Indicated that the largest migration from Atlantis occurred
just before 10,000 B.C. The majority of these Atlantean survivors
went to the Northeastern coastal areas of America and Canada
becoming the Iroquois. It should be recalled that Cayce also stated
that not all of the Iroquois were Atlantean. The Atlanteans
migrating to the Americas merged with the people already present in
America by that time.
The Atlanteans became leaders of the
tribes. Cayce's story makes it clear that the the Atlanteans had
serious disputes among themselves that were reflected in ongoing
violent conflict (this was the struggle between the Belial and
Law
of One groups.) This is confirmed by the Iroquois' ancient history
that tells of constant battles resulting in distant displacements of
entire tribes to ensure their survival.
Perhaps the most astonishing confirmation of Cayce's story of
ancient America is the presence of haplogroup X. What is known is
that the X haplogroup first showed up in America perhaps 34,000
years ago, but its main entry occurred in 10,000 B.C. These dates
match Cayce's timeframe for Atlantean migrations as well as the
occurrence of X in the specific tribes predicted by his statements.
The X group also appears to have shown up in ancient Iberia and in
the Basques about the same time as well as in the Gobi.
These dates match Cayce's story of the
final two destructions of
Atlantis and the resulting
migrations to these areas.
Gobi Desert Mysteries
China Pyramids &
Mounds
from
EdgarCayce Website
 Gobi
The word Gobi appears 99 times on
the Cayce CD ROM. It appears in under a 100 life readings. Several
readings call the Gobi the "Sun Land" and indicate that sun worship
dominated (2067-4; 2091-1.)
In March 1935 Cayce referred to a city
buried under the sands of the Gobi (873-1), and in 1936 he called
this city the "City of Gold." He also stated that this city
would probably be discovered in the future. (877-12; 1554-3;
2402-2).
One characteristic of the Gobi
civilization was the implementation of a social structure apparently
much like the Mississippian Era mound builders had (2067-4; 1505-1).
The rulers were held in high esteem and lived in temples. In a 1940
reading, Cayce referred to
terraced buildings and temples in the Gobi
(2067-4).
A group from the Gobi was identified as having DNA bearing the "X"
Haplotype in 2001.
This group may be related to the
Atlantean Genetic type and the Basques.
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