Hungarians are genetically closest to the West Siberian Mansi and Khanty, who belong to the Ugric branch of the Uralic linguistic family. The Ugric branch includes these three groups, which are geographically distant but linguistically similar.
The Uralic linguistic family is a group of languages spoken in Northern Eurasia, including Finland, Estonia, and Hungary. Within this linguistic family, the Ugric branch consists of Hungarian, Mansi, and Khanty languages. These languages share common features and are believed to have originated from a common ancestor.
Genetically, Hungarians share a close affinity with the Mansi and Khanty populations. Genetic studies have shown that these three groups share a significant amount of genetic similarity, indicating a common ancestry. This genetic closeness suggests that Hungarians, Mansi, and Khanty have a shared history and have likely interacted with each other in the past.
The geographic distance between Hungary and West Siberia may seem surprising, but it is important to note that linguistic and genetic similarities do not always align with geographic proximity. Migration and historical events can result in the spread of languages and genetic traits across vast distances.
It is worth mentioning that genetic studies also indicate influences from other populations on the Hungarian gene pool. Throughout history, Hungary has been a crossroads of various cultures and civilizations. This has led to genetic contributions from neighboring populations, such as Slavic, Germanic, and Turkic groups.
To summarize, Hungarians are genetically closest to the West Siberian Mansi and Khanty populations. Despite the geographical distance, their linguistic similarities and shared genetic traits suggest a common ancestry. However, it is important to acknowledge that genetic influences from other neighboring populations have also shaped the Hungarian gene pool.