In a startling revelation that rewrites history books, genetic scientists have discovered significant British ancestry in modern Mexicans - a legacy dating back to the brutal colonisation era of the 16th century.
The DNA Detective Story
Researchers from Mexico's National Laboratory of Genomics for Biodiversity made the extraordinary find while analysing genetic samples from residents of Mexico City and surrounding areas. Their cutting-edge techniques uncovered unexpected European and African genetic markers that tell a forgotten story of migration and conquest.
Colonial Footprints in Modern Genes
The study reveals:
- Approximately 5% of analysed Mexicans carry British genetic signatures
- African ancestry appears in 3% of the population studied
- These markers date back to the 1500s when British privateers and slaves arrived
"This completely changes our understanding of Mexico's genetic heritage," said lead researcher Dr Rodrigo Barquera. "The British presence was far more significant than historical records suggest."
The Forgotten British Presence
While Spanish conquest dominates Mexico's colonial narrative, the DNA evidence points to substantial interactions with British subjects:
- English privateers (state-sanctioned pirates) frequently raided Mexican ports
- British slaves were brought by Spanish colonisers via the transatlantic trade
- Some English sailors settled after shipwrecks or desertion
The genetic trail suggests these forgotten communities intermarried with local populations, leaving a lasting biological legacy.
African Roots Unearthed
Equally surprising was the discovery of African genetic markers tracing back to slaves brought by both Spanish and British traders. These findings confirm historical accounts of African presence in colonial Mexico that were previously doubted by some scholars.
The research team plans to expand their study to other Mexican regions, potentially uncovering more hidden chapters of the country's complex genetic tapestry.
