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Archiver > DNA-R1B1C7 > 2007-08 > 1186884964


From:
Subject: Re: [DNA-R1B1C7] Network.exe
Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2007 22:16:04 EDT



In a message dated 8/11/2007 8:37:26 P.M. Central Standard Time,
writes:

I don't understand why finding a common ancestor between A and B well before
the Nial fellow should pose a problem? The clade that A, B, and Nial are
all in probably had its founding way before the purported era of Nial.



I think it would only pose problems for Irish traditionalists who generally
accept that Nial was the ancestor of a very specific number of Irish clans
delineated in traditional Irish pedigrees. They're working with a traditional
genealogical scheme that lists sons of Nial and the various clans said to
descend from them from the late 4th to early 5th century A.D. If the common
ancestor of A and B long predate the time of Nial doesn't that make the
genealogical scheme irrelevant? For at least one of the two?

If A and B split apart in 800 BC. then surely Nial (d. 405 AD) couldn't be
an ancestor in both lines. In all likelihood I would have to guess he wasn't
an ancestor of either in that case. Or Nial was a legendary figure
misplaced in time in Irish mythology. Or more likely simply a non historical
personage invented to fill a role in a genealogical scheme linking powerful
dynasties in Ireland.

There are plenty of Irish historians who believe just that. That Nial and
his sons were a mythological fabrication.

Yet we have the Trinity study which states the TMRCA of the Ui Neill
surnames in the NW of Ireland is 1730 years or 277 A.D., which they state "is at
least consistent with an early medieval
time frame."

I guess the question really revolves around trying to decide if Nial was an
historical character or just another Irish myth, an issue Irish historians
have argued about for years. I have no preconceived opinions on the subject -
let the chips fall where they may.


John




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