The Welsh and Irish Celts have been found to be the genetic blood-brothers of Basques, scientists have revealed. ... Basques can trace their roots back to the Stone Age and are one of Europe's most distinct people, fiercely proud of their ancestry and traditions.

Who are Basques descended from?

Now, a study in PNAS journal suggests they descend from early farmers who mixed with local hunters before becoming isolated for millennia. The Basques have unique customs and a language - Euskera - that is unrelated to any other spoken in Europe, or indeed the world.

Are the Basques the oldest ethnic group?

The Basques may be the oldest ethnic group in Europe. They are thought to have inhabited the southwestern corner of the continent since before Indo-European peoples came to the area approximately 5,000 years ago.