Monday, March 08, 2010

The Lemba and their Jewish DNA

THE LEMBA and their Jewish DNA get some attention in Haaretz:
Report: DNA tests support Zimbabwe tribe's claim of Jewish roots

By Haaretz Service

British scientists have succeeded in proving the Lemba tribe of Zimbabwe and South Africa descended from Jewish ancestors, according to a report by the BBC.

According to the report, the scientists conducted DNA tests on a large sample of the Lemba people, which confirmed Semitic origins dating back more than two millennia.

[...]
Inevitably, Professor Tudor Parfitt is quoted.

This is an old story, which I noted back in 2003. For more on the Lemba and their supposed Ark of the Covenant, go here and follow the links back.