In the remote village of Liqian, nestled in China’s Gansu province, a captivating myth once captured the world’s imagination: could the local people be descendants of a lost Roman legion? The theory gained momentum in the 1990s when European facial features and Romanesque architecture were observed in the village. However, recent historical research and DNA testing have since debunked this legend.
The origin of this myth can be traced back to 1957 when American sinologist Homer Dubs published a paper suggesting that Roman soldiers might have settled in Liqian after their defeat in the Battle of Carrhae in 53 BC. According to Dubs, these soldiers were captured by the Xiongnu tribes and later brought to the region now known as Yongchang county, where they supposedly introduced Roman military tactics, including the “fish-scale formation,” to the Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD).
Dubs’s theory found an audience among both Western and Chinese scholars at the time, and in 1993, state media outlet Xinhua reported possible evidence of Roman descendants in Liqian. Villagers with European traits, such as brown hair, green eyes, and hooked noses, added fuel to the mystery. Local media highlighted residents like Cai Junnian and Song Guorong, whose appearance was distinct from typical East Asian features.
The fascination with this theory quickly spread, inspiring Chinese TV dramas, novels, and even local tourism initiatives. Statues of Roman soldiers were erected, and a Roman-style pavilion was constructed to attract visitors. In 2007, the Gansu government published The Lost Roman Legion, a picture book featuring images of local historical sites and customs linked to the legend.
However, by the early 2000s, leading Chinese historians began to challenge the narrative. Zhang Xushan from Tsinghua University argued that Han captives were sent to Central Asia, not the Chinese mainland, discrediting claims of a Roman settlement. He also noted that the presence of European features in the region could be attributed to ancient traders who settled and intermarried with locals.
DNA tests conducted by Lanzhou University in 2008 further debunked the myth. Out of 87 villagers tested, only three showed genetic markers typical of West Asian descent, not the Mediterranean traits expected of Roman soldiers.
Despite substantial historical evidence against the theory, Roman culture still influences Liqian’s tourism. In 2012, Yongchang county even erected a monument commemorating the “Eastward Journey of the Roman Legion.” Photos of Roman-style structures continue to circulate online, drawing visitors intrigued by the village’s legendary connection to ancient Rome.
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