19989 - Anthropological Genetic History: The Celt-Iberian Connection to New Mexican Families

Course Overview

Who were the Celtiberians? The ethnicity of a people can be traced linguistically, but also by surnames cultural practices, and DNA. Is your last name Gallegos? That translates as Gallic, or Celt. Is the name Barrera (Barrera=stockade), Cardenas (carduus=thistle), or Leal (loyal)? When you married did they use el lazo? And do you celebrate the Celtic New Year as Dia de los Muertos? Perhaps you celebrate with cerveza (Gaelic for beer) rather than Scotch, but the house might be constructed with Tapia (sod) or have a Torreon (Tor=tower). These cultural practices, and many others, endure to reveal a proud heritage. We will explore the DNA, the archaeological, the linguistic and the historical foundations of the Celtiberians, who they were, and who they are today. The connection between certain New Mexican families and the Celt-Iberians will be explored. A short film that will trace the history of these people will be shown. We will also discuss which families show the markers that are most identified with this ancient civilization.