Liqian (Chinese: 骊靬; pinyin: líqián) is a defunct county in today's northern province of Gansu in China. Today, the ancient Liqian city is situated in a village called Zhelaizhai.[1][2]
The area of the former Liqian city is known for its inhabitants. Some people there have Caucasian-like physical traits, such as wider noses, blond or lighter-colored hair, blue or green eyes, or fairer skin color, which is mixed with typical Chinese features. In the 20th century, theories have developed suggesting some inhabitants may be descended from Roman legionaries.
In the 1950s, Homer H. Dubs, a professor of Chinese history at the University of Oxford, was the first to make a connection between Liqian and ancient Rome. He suggested the inhabitants were descendants from a lost Roman army that had been commanded by Marcus Licinius Crassus. This army may have wandered eastward, becoming mercenaries who took part in the Battle of Zhizhi between the Chinese and the Huns in 36 B.C.[3]
Several investigations have been conducted since.[2] Rob Gifford commented on the theory and described it as one of many "rural myths."[4] One DNA study found that "a Roman mercenary origin could not be accepted as true according to paternal genetic variation, and the current Liqian population is more likely to be a subgroup of the Chinese majority Han."[5] However, more recent genetic testing revealed that 56% of the DNA of some Zhelaizhai residents was Caucasian in origin.[6] To date, no artifacts which might confirm a Roman presence, such as coins or weaponry, have been discovered in Zhelaizhai.[6]
Liqian existed in the northern region of China, on the eastern edge of the Gobi Desert.[2][7] It is rural, with the nearest city being 300 kilometres (190 mi) distant.[2]