This is one of the most fascinating books I have read in a long time. Commendations describe it as: ‘a ground-breaking book’, ‘extremely well researched’, and ‘profoundly intriguing’. I agree.

The author is a molecular biologist who has intensively studied human DNA. The conclusions he reaches are startling and remarkable. The book is very well illustrated with over 230 colour plates which bring his findings to life. It is readable by a non-specialist with an interest in science. Each chapter has a helpful summary of key points at the end to aid the reader.

Common ancestor

To start with, Jeanson explains how mutations in the genome act like a genetic clock. Mutations are copying errors. Calculations show that the mutation rate of humans adds on average three differences to the Y chromosome every generation (pp.172-73). On this basis, Jeanson calculates that all humans had a common ancestor just 4,500 years ago. This, of course, fits very well with the biblical account of history and this common ancestor being Noah.

Further analysis of Y chromosome data and the geographic dispersion of various mutations enabled Jeanson to trace the history of certain mutations and hence of people groups. A genetic population sharing a common ancestor is called a haplogroup. Many of the colour plates are maps showing the geographic distribution of various haplogroups.

It is when he gets to the Americas that the findings challenge the traditional historical narrative.

Chapters of the book analyse haplogroups dominant in different continents. Combining the DNA analysis with what we know of the history of these areas, Jeanson is able to trace the genetic effects of shifting empires and people groups. The findings here all correlate with standard histories of these peoples.

Surprising discovery

It is when he gets to the Americas that the findings challenge the traditional historical narrative. Here he finds evidence of a highly developed and well populated pre-Columbian America. To quote from his chapter summary:

“The Y chromosome-based family tree shows that today’s Native Americans were not the first arrivals in the New World. The A.D. era invaders from Central Asia appear to have wiped out whoever was here first – including the Olmecs and possibly the Mayans. This genetic history is consistent with the origin account of the Lenape (Delaware Indians)” (p.154).

At the same time, Jeanson states that there remains some mystery about the genetic history of the first Americans. Backing up his genetic findings, the author cites archaeological evidence that the “supposedly pristine, untouched rainforests of South America were deliberately designed orchards.” (p.140).

Jeanson shows that these original branches continue to branch out precisely along the lines described in the family of nations in Genesis 10!

More biblical confirmation

Part 1 of the book is a non-technical introduction to populations and genetics. Part 2 looks at what we can tell about the history of the different continents from the genetic analysis. Part 3 then generalises and takes things further. Here we find that the Y chromosome tree reveals three original branches from the common ancestor. These would correspond with Noah’s three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth.

If that wasn’t remarkable enough, Jeanson then shows that these original branches continue to branch out precisely along the lines described in the family of nations in Genesis 10! And the geographic distributions of each of the Genesis 10 nations correspond with the genetic history of each haplogroup. You really have to take a look at colour plates 207-218 to see this for yourself.

Unique study

The author explains that we only have public access to the DNA of thousands out of the billions of people who live on our planet. This means the data is necessarily incomplete and some of the conclusions are somewhat tentative and are likely to be revised as more data comes in (p.13).

If Jeanson’s results continue to be verified, then this will be yet another remarkable scientific verification of the biblical account of our origins.

This is clearly a very exciting and developing field of science. If Jeanson’s results continue to be verified, albeit with modifications as more data emerges, then this will be yet another remarkable scientific verification of the biblical account of our origins.

The author says in his introduction: “Whether you’re a lay reader or a technical reader, I think you’ll find this book unlike any you’ve read before.” (p.15) Having read it, I agree.

This book is highly recommended if you are at all interested in science, human origins, world history, or the table of nations in Genesis 10. It deserves a very wide readership.

Traced (251pp) is published by Master Books and is available from Amazon for £20.04. Kindle version costs £6.25).