Today the number of native speakers of Indo-European languages across the world is approximated to be over 2.6 billion—about 45 percent of the Earth’s population. Yet the idea that an ancient, prehistoric population in one time and place gave rise to a wide variety of peoples and languages is one with a long and troubled past. In this expansive investigation, based on more than forty years of research, archaeologist J. P. Mallory navigates the complex history of our search for the Indo-European homeland, offering fresh insight into the debates surrounding origin, as well as the latest genetic research.
In this compelling account, Mallory explores ancient migrations, linguistics, and archaeology, applying cutting-edge genetic research to untangle the key arguments with wit and verve. He addresses how the controversial idea of a single, shared homeland has been viewed by scientists, archaeologists, and linguists across the past century and reconsiders how, in the case of the Nazis and more recent nationalist movements, they have been manipulated for political advantage. The author goes on to analyze the linguistic trail linking current populations to the Indo-Europeans, looking at Sanskrit, Greek, Latin, and more, as he traces linguistic origins across multiple peoples and cultures, bringing the most up-to-date phylogenetic research to bear on this story. Ultimately this important volume offers the most conclusive and nuanced understanding of an oft-misrepresented and misunderstood topic.
Reviews
Mallory presents the search for the Indo-European homeland in a compelling narrative which combines his deep knowledge of linguistics, archaeology and genetics with a rare ability to make it enjoyable for the reader. A brilliant book in every respect.
— Barry Cunliffe, Emeritus Professor of Archaeology, University of Oxford
An instant classic, Mallory provides an in-depth history of the research methods and interpretations, which puts into perspective the new genetic results.
— Kristian Kristiansen, Professor of Archaeology, University of Copenhagen
Contributors
J. P. Mallory
Author
J. P. Mallory is a world expert on the interconnection of archaeology and linguistics and is the author of In Search of the Indo-Europeans and The Oxford Introduction to Proto-Indo-European and the Proto-Indo-European World. He has published numerous other works, including the acclaimed The Origins of the Irish. He is emeritus professor of prehistoric archaeology at Queen’s University Belfast and a member of the Royal Irish Academy.
