The mountain written in the Maronites’ genes

Understanding the deep roots of a people requires more than written history, it calls for examining the traces carried quietly across generations.

Through the work of Dr. Pierre Zalloua (a Lebanese genetic researcher), genetic research has opened a rare window into the long presence, continuity, and evolution of the communities that shaped Mount Lebanon, particularly the Maronites.

These findings not only illuminate the ancient origins of the region’s inhabitants but also provide a scientific foundation for exploring how identity, geography, and shared heritage have intertwined over thousands of years.

Genetic heritage

Dr. Zalloua asserted that “the genetic research we conduct on populations, the Lebanese people and indeed the peoples of the entire region, is of immense importance, as it allows us to understand the heritage of this people, specifically their genetic heritage.”

He claimed that he and his team “began these studies in 2005, and we continue to this day. The study was conducted on tens of thousands of individuals: we sampled 8,000 Lebanese, and naturally we also had thousands of samples from neighbouring countries. Altogether, the study included more than 15,000 genetic samples.”

These genetic studies, he affirmed, “allow us to know and determine when this population, those who eventually became Maronite over time, arrived in Mount Lebanon, how long they stayed there, and whether they mixed with other peoples before becoming Maronite (and even after they became Maronite).”

Origins of the genes of the inhabitants of Mount Lebanon:

The outcome of the aforementioned study revealed that the origins of Mount Lebanon’s inhabitants can be traced back to 14,000 years ago (with Natufian, Anatolian and Zagros roots). The latter three are East Mediterranean genetics (from 10,000 years ago to today). As for the rate of admixture with other populations, it was shown to represent merely 10%.

Dr. Zalloua believed that, “today, Maronites are interested in knowing whether they came from Yemen or elsewhere, or whether they have been living in this country for 10,000 years. These studies show that the Maronites shaped this mountain and this land, and they, in turn, shaped the Maronites for 10,000 years. Hence, attachment to the land is of paramount importance.”

From here,

“The Maronite way of life and their belonging to this mountain and constrained geographic area have allowed us, through genetic studies, to observe the remarkable stability of this population group, which has remained here throughout history.

To conclude, the genetic landscape uncovered by these studies paints a picture of remarkable continuity, revealing a population deeply anchored to its land and resilient across millennia. Far from abstract data, this research affirms a lived history, one in which the people of Mount Lebanon, and particularly the Maronites, forged a lasting bond with their homeland (referring to Mount Lebanon). By tracing these ancient threads, the study reinforces the enduring relationship between heritage, place, and identity, and highlights the significance of preserving the story written into the very fabric of this community. For this reason, these elements must be continuously reinforced with the rising generations so that they do not forget their true identity and roots.