Warsaw, Poland — In a surprising twist to the story of Europe’s early medieval rulers, new genetic research suggests that Poland’s first royal dynasty, the Piasts, may trace their origins not to Slavic tribes but to the ancient Picts of Scotland.
A New Genetic Link to Scotland
The Piast dynasty, which laid the foundations of the Polish state from the 10th to the 14th century, has long been seen as a symbol of Polish identity. Under their leadership, disparate tribes united, and ruler Mieszko I’s conversion to Christianity in 966 is remembered as the Baptism of Poland — the formal birth of the Polish kingdom.
However, a team from the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry at the Polish Academy of Sciences has found unexpected genetic clues in skeletal remains thought to belong to the Piast lineage. By analysing the Y chromosome, passed from father to son, the researchers discovered a rare genetic haplogroup most commonly found in Britain but unusual elsewhere in Europe.
“Among the samples dated to before the Piast state’s establishment, the closest genetic relative was a man from 5th–6th century Scotland,” the team told Polish Radio. This individual was linked to the Pict population, a mysterious ancient group that inhabited what is now eastern and northern Scotland.
Reconsidering Origins: The Picts and the Piasts
The findings suggest the Piasts were likely not indigenous to the lands that became Poland, raising fresh questions about migration and early European connections. While the precise timing of when their ancestors arrived in Central Europe remains uncertain, the research points to a northern origin rather than a purely Slavic one.
Prof. Marek Figlerowicz, the lead researcher, acknowledges the theory might seem unconventional but is consistent with historical evidence of early Piast foreign relations. Notably, Bolesław the Brave, Poland’s first king, reportedly had a sister, Sigryda, who married into Scandinavian royal families and was an ancestor to monarchs in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and England.
“This shows that early Piast state relations with northern Europe and England were significant,” Prof. Figlerowicz said, reinforcing the idea that the dynasty’s roots and alliances were wide-ranging.
Debates Over Piast Origins
Historians and the public have long debated the Piasts’ origins. Some theories propose Viking descent, while others suggest local Slavic roots. Yet, until now, no concrete archaeological or documentary evidence resolved the question.
“We had no historical or archaeological proof,” Prof. Figlerowicz explained. “DNA testing was the only method to determine the Piasts’ ancestral connections.”
What This Means for Polish History
If confirmed by further studies, this genetic link challenges traditional narratives and highlights early medieval Europe’s complex migrations and cultural interactions. The Piasts’ possible Pictish ancestry adds a new dimension to the story of how Poland emerged as a nation, connecting the country’s past to the distant British Isles.
As scholars delve deeper into ancient DNA, the story of Europe’s founding dynasties may continue to evolve—revealing surprising threads woven across the continent.
