Answers to Questions by Yair Davidiy (1 November 2017, 12 Heshbon, 5778)
Does the DNA of the people of Tuscany differ to any significant degree to the rest of Italy (considering their Etruscan, ie. non-Indo-European heritage)?
The image shows female Etruscan bee-keepers. The Etruscans once had a well-developed civilization in ancient Italy in the north, in Tuscany. At the beginning of its history Rome was ruled by the Etruscans and received much from them.
Personally I am reserved about DNA. I think that the influence of environment has been UNDER-ESTIMATED! Nevertheless we still refer to it.
The mtDNA (transmitted by the female) of Tuscany shows a minority yet still highly significant number with similarity to that of the region of Izmir in central West Asiatic Turkey. This is approximately the region of ancient Lydia whence according to Herodotus and others the Etruscans came.
The Jewish Connection
The mtDNA of Ashkenazi Jews is ca. 70% of the same type of the Lydian Etruscans. This may be due to a genetic bottleneck. The question is did the Jews acquire this mtDNA in North Italy (as generally assumed) or in the Middle East before coming westward?