Unraveling the Basque mystery

The origin of the Basque people and their language has long been something of a mystery. Their language, Euskara, is quite different from other European languages, and there has been speculation that the Basque people originally came from somewhere outside Europe. But new studies are casting doubt on that theory. In fact, some researchers are saying now that, in effect, other Europeans originated from the Basque people. They base this conclusion both on linguistics and genetics. The linguistic studies indicate that there is some Euskara-like vocabulary in other European languages, as well as some vestiges of a numerical system that is based on twenties instead of tens. Read more (in Spanish)... (Source: Diario de Noticias)
 
The Basque are an ethnic minority in Spain and France, and their nationalist movement has long been a source of sometimes violent conflict in Spain. Euskara is one of the three non-Spanish languages that has official status in Spain. Learn more about Spain's other languages...