"These two sentences were obviously from two differnet sources." You are correct. Two different studies.
"Could the Basque be desendents of the neolithic beaker people?"
I don't know any thing about the beaker people. I expect the Basque did have a larger area under their control at one time. They probably survived all attacks by withdrawing to the mountains between Spain/France where they live to this day.
I expect the Basque did have a larger area under their control at one time. They probably survived all attacks by withdrawing to the mountains between Spain/France where they live to this day.
You're right. They did control a larger area. In fact, they were known by the Romans as Aquitanians. Linguistic records have proven this beyond a reasonable doubt.
Prehistory and Connections with Other Languages
Scroll down for the information concerning the Aquitanians.
Very interesting thread. Thank you for taking the time to post the article. Now, on to further the discussion.
I don't know any thing about the beaker people.
I see others have followed up, so I will only contribute new information.
Rare image of a beaker taken
from a British website. Note
the flaming red hair.
In all seriousness, these DNA studies will add a great deal to our understanding of the history of peoples. For a technogeek like myself, my own fascination with the subject stems from one of the few humanities courses I actually enjoyed in college, A History of the English Language.