article_snippet: There are two main theories as to how Indo-European languages spread in Europe.
article_snippet: The first is the Anatolian hypothesis, which claims spread of the language occurred some 8,500 years ago, when the first farmers from the Near East (currently Turkey) brought the first farmers from the Near East (currently Turkey) to Europe.
article_snippet: The Kurgan hypothesis, meanwhile, proposes that the language was spread by nomadic herders of the Russian steppes found to the north of the Black and Caspian Sea.
article_snippet: This theory suggests the language was spread by nomadic herders of the steppes found to the north of the Black and Caspian Sea language spread throughout Europe after the invention of wheeled vehicles, from 6,000 to 5,000 years ago.
article_snippet: Although genes can't determine what people spoke, the researchers, led by David Reich of Harvard Medical School argue that the researchers, led by David Reich of Harvard Medical School findings could influence the debate about the origins of Indo-European tongues.
article_snippet: Indo-European languages include more than 400 tongues, from modern languages such as English and Polish to ancient languages like Hittite and Sanskrit.
article_snippet: Basque, which is spoken in south-west France and northern Spain, is not Indo-European, and may be the only surviving relic of earlier languages once spoken more widely, according to the BBC.
article_snippet: Linguists have long debated whether Indo-European languages came to Europe with farmers migrating from the Middle East or some other group, such as the Yamnaya.
article_snippet: Previously, researchers had believed that Indo-European language spread some 8,500 years ago, when the first farmers from the Near East, now modern day Turkey, brought it to Europe.
article_snippet: As well as genetic evidence, researchers point to the fact that many Indo-European languages share words for things like axles, harness poles, and the wheel.
article_snippet: Our results make a compelling case for the steppe as a source of at least some of the Indo-European languages in Europe.'
highlights_snippet: Previously, researchers believed that Indo-European language spread some 8,500 years ago, by the first farmers from the Near East, now Turkey .