Introduction

Al-Andalus, the region of Muslim rule in Iberia from the 8th to the 15th centuries, has captured the imagination of modern scholars and historians. Central to these discussions is the ethnic makeup of the Muslim population and its impact on contemporary Andalusian identity.

Ethnic Composition of Muslims in Al-Andalus

Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of Muslims in Al-Andalus were European in origin, specifically Iberian or Hispanic. This has significant implications for the modern-day Andalusian population. Historical records and genetic evidence support the notion that pure or near-pure Arabs did not constitute a sizable portion of the Muslim population.

Following the defeat of the Gothic army in 711 AD, an Arab army of 12,000 from Yemen took control of Southern Iberia. However, the presence of these warriors was brief, and their genetic contribution to the local population was minimal. Higher casualty rates and the small number of immigrants meant that Arab males would not have made a significant genetic impact.

Streams of immigration did follow, particularly during the period of the Great Berber Revolt of 748-749 AD, when an additional 22,000 "Syrians" were invited to quell the revolt. These Syrian warriors, however, were not pure Arabs but rather individuals from a different cultural and linguistic background. Nevertheless, these new arrivals were Berbers, a distinct and numerically significant group.

Historical records suggest that approximately 500,000 Berbers migrated to Al-Andalus over the medieval period, representing about 17% of the population. However, despite their significant numbers, they did not make a substantial genetic contribution due to the distinct segregation of racial and ethnic groups. Andalusi society was structured with pure or mixed Arabs at the top, followed by European Muslims, Berbers, and Christians and Jews at the bottom.

Evidence from DNA Studies

Recent genetic studies reveal that the E1b1 DNA lineage, which is predominantly found in North Africa, is present in a range of 10% in Western and Southern Iberia and diminishes to 0% in most other regions. Notably, Valencia exhibits a higher presence, with about 10%. This suggests a minor but noticeable impact of Berber and Arab populations.

The map of E1b1 DNA distribution in Spain and Portugal (E1, E3b, E3b1, and E3b2) provides a visual representation of these findings. E1b1 M81, a marker primarily associated with Berbers, is found in these regions, indicating the presence of a smaller Berber population but not at the levels initially suggested.

Impact on Modern Andalusian Identity

The impact of Al-Andalus on modern Andalusian identity is complex. The majority of Muslims in Al-Andalus were European in origin, with Berbers being the only non-European group to make a significant presence. Given the genetic studies, it is unlikely that the modern Andalusians share a significant genetic lineage with the original Muslim population of Al-Andalus.

Further, the historical and social stratification of Andalusi society, with Arabs at the top, European Muslims in the middle, and Berbers and Christians at the bottom, suggests a more layered impact rather than a uniform integration of these diverse groups. This stratification continued until the expulsion of the remaining Muslim population in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Conclusion

The ethnic composition of Muslims in Al-Andalus was predominantly European with a significant Berber presence. Genetic studies support this, showing a minor but noticeable impact of Berber and Arab populations on modern Andalusian DNA. Understanding these historical and genetic factors provides a deeper insight into the complex and nuanced historical context of Andalusian identity.