Here's why:
* The Kurgan hypothesis: The most widely accepted theory for the spread of Indo-European languages is the Kurgan hypothesis, which posits that the Proto-Indo-European language originated in the Pontic-Caspian steppe around 4500-3000 BCE. This region is in present-day Ukraine and southern Russia, far from the Tigris-Euphrates area.
* Lack of archaeological evidence: There's little archaeological evidence to support a direct connection between the Tigris-Euphrates area and Indo-European migrations to Eastern Europe. The archaeological record in Eastern Europe aligns more strongly with the Kurgan hypothesis.
* Linguistic evidence: While some scholars have pointed to potential connections between Indo-European and Sumerian languages, these are highly speculative and not widely accepted.
Possible connections:
* Cultural influences: While a direct migration from the Tigris-Euphrates area is unlikely, it's possible that there were cultural exchanges between the two regions. This could have influenced the development of Indo-European languages and cultures.
* The Anatolian hypothesis: A less popular theory, the Anatolian hypothesis, suggests that Proto-Indo-European originated in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). While this theory places the origin in a different region, it's still far from the Tigris-Euphrates area.
In conclusion:
While intriguing, the theory of Indo-European speakers migrating directly from the Tigris-Euphrates area to Eastern Europe lacks strong evidence and is not supported by mainstream scholarship. The Kurgan hypothesis remains the most widely accepted explanation for the spread of Indo-European languages.