DNA technology to unlock Confucius mystery  

复旦将研究孔子和尧舜禹是否为真实人物

昨天，复旦大学历史学和人类学联合课题组发布关于曹操家族DNA研究最新成果，首次100%确定曹操家族DNA，证实曹操并非汉相曹参后代，同时推翻了曹操为夏侯氏抱养而来的说法。该课题组下一步将研究孔子和尧舜禹是否为真实人物。 [查看全文]

(ECNS)-- Researchers at Fudan University will initiate a study using DNA testing technologies to verify whether Chinese historical figures such as Confucius and mythological figures Yao, Shun, and Yu really existed.

The research team at the university decoded the DNA of Cao Cao, a politician and general from the Three Kingdoms period (AD 220-280). The work, which was announced recently, will further promote studies of the man and his family.

In 2009, a large tomb was discovered in a remote village in Anyang, Henan province, which local archeologists claimed belonged to Cao. A hot debate ensued over the tomb's authenticity, and the university team subsequently undertook the DNA study.

For years, experts have been collecting DNA samples from Cao's descendants across the country and making comparisons with the DNA from a skull uncovered in the tomb.

By applying the same technology, the university's research team will work to figure out if other famous figures in China's history, including Confucius, Yellow Emperor, Yan emperor, Yu the Great, Emperor Yao, and Emperor Shun are real people or fictional ones, according to Han Sheng, an expert from Fudan University who led the Cao Cao research.

"We are committed to solving ancient mysteries with modern technologies," Han said. "If we can decode DNA of more famous historical figures, we can make greater contributions to historical anthropology."

"Besides the DNA decoding of historical figures, our future research will also focus on the history of Chinese-style families and the history of Chinese nationalities," Han added.