Who’s Related to Genghis Khan?

Archaeology Magazine ^ | February 27, 2026 | editors / unattributed

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Tradition holds that the eldest son of Genghis Khan, ruler of the Mongol Empire, founded the Golden Horde and was buried in Kazakhstan with his descendants. According to a statement released by the University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW–Madison), an international team of researchers led by Ayken Askapuli of UW–Madison analyzed genomes taken from remains found in four Golden Horde tombs in Kazakhstan, and determined that their ancestors could be traced to the Mongolian plateau through their Y-chromosomes. “We saw evidence that their Y-chromosomes are part of a branch of the C3* cluster,” Askapuli said. Some 20 years ago, fragments of DNA on this C3* cluster were traced back to medieval inhabitants of the Mongolian plateau and the Mongol Empire. This cluster is still found in many men in central Eurasia today, and some have thought these genes may have spread so widely because Genghis Khan controlled such a vast territory. “With ancient DNA results, we can distinguish different branches of the genome that are close to each other but are not identical,” said team member John Hawks of UW–Madison. Askapuli explained that the branch of the C3* cluster identified in the medieval ruling elites of the Golden Horde is not as common in the modern population of the Mongolian plateau. For more on the Mongol Empire, go to "Searching for Lost Cities: Palaces of the Golden Horde."

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TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: aykenaskapuli; c3cluster; genealogy; genghiskhan; godsgravesglyphs; goldenhorde; helixmakemineadouble; kazakhstan; mongols; ychromosomes

[SunkenCiv]

DNA analysis of members of the Mongol ruling elite buried in Kazakhstan revealed shared genomic fragments across Kazakhstan and Mongolia, indicating their close genetic affinity.

University of Wisconsin–Madison

[SunkenCiv]

[SunkenCiv]

Selections from the Genghis Khan keyword, sorted:

• Finding DNA results in Germanic People [10/15/2018]
• Half Of Western European Men Descended From One Bronze Age 'King' [04/30/2016]
• 'Hundreds of Millions' of Asian Men Descended From 11 Dynastic Leaders [03/12/2015]
• Genghis Khan's genetic legacy has competition [01/29/2015]
• Research identifies accountant as descendant of Genghis Khan [05/31/2006]
• How I am related to Genghis Khan [05/29/2006]
• Scientist Discover Most Fertile Irish Male [01/17/2006]
• Sons of Genghis Khan roll out the red carpet for Bush [11/21/2005]
• Y Chromosomes Reveal Founding Father (Giocangga) [10/25/2005]
• Free meal promotion for relatives of Genghis Khan [07/05/2004]
• Genghis Khan: Father To Millions [06/22/2004]
• Ghengis Khan a Prolific Lover, DNA Data Implies [02/15/2003]
• A Prolific Genghis Khan, It Seems, Helped People the World [02/13/2003]
• Genes of history's greatest lover found? [02/07/2003]

[SMARTY]

Lots of people are related to him. Genghis got around!

[SunkenCiv]

Even that villain in Star Trek!

[Right_Wing_Madman]

Genghis got around!

A genetic study revealed that 8 percent of the Chinese population is related to Genghis Khan.

He had the largest concubine in history. Genghis only had to go to one place!

[Theophilus]

You mean harem of concubines?

[NFHale]

There was this guy down in Philly… over on 5th street…. Joey… Joey Khanoli…

[yldstrk]

Apparently a quarter of the population is related.

[MarlonRando]

you always hear how many people are related to him, but you never hear about their general health. I’m wondering at least if he had good jeans like Syndney Sweeney.