Unlocking the Secrets: How 6,000-Year-Old Skeletons and Their Unique DNA Are Revolutionizing Our Understanding of Human History

Archaeologists recently made a groundbreaking discovery in Colombia: the remains of hunter-gatherers dating back 6,000 years. These skeletons were found at the ancient site of Checua, close to Bogotá. What’s intriguing is that their DNA does not match any known Indigenous groups today.

This exciting find reveals a unique and now-extinct lineage, possibly from the earliest humans who reached South America. By studying DNA from 21 individuals who lived in the Bogotá region between 6,000 and 500 years ago, researchers created a timeline that highlights a significant genetic journey.

The oldest individuals at Checua carried an ancestral signature that has completely vanished from today’s gene pool. According to Kim-Louise Krettek, the lead researcher, this area is vital for understanding how the Americas were populated. It served as a land bridge connecting North and South America and was influenced by three major cultural regions: Mesoamerica, Amazonia, and the Andes.

Interestingly, these early Colombians were not related to other ancient groups in South America, such as those in Chile or Brazil, nor did they share ancestry with early populations in North America. This distinct genetic signature sheds light on the Isthmo-Colombian area, a cultural zone that extends from Honduras across Panama into northern Colombia.

Krettek noted that the Checua people were part of the first wave of populations spreading rapidly across South America. However, around 2,000 years ago, the genetic landscape of Bogotá changed dramatically. The unique lineage found in the earliest Checua remains vanished, replaced by newcomers whose DNA closely resembles that of ancient Panamanians.

Andrea Casas-Vargas, a co-author from Universidad Nacional de Colombia, explained that this later culture likely arrived with migrants from Central America, bringing advancements like pottery and early farming. They also introduced the Chibchan languages still spoken in parts of Central America today.

This disappearance of genetic traces is quite rare in South America; in many areas, populations tend to maintain a degree of genetic continuity over time. The genetic shifts seen in Bogotá highlight significant changes that reflect migration and cultural exchange rather than violence or invasion.

Over time, the Checua people’s DNA faded and was ultimately erased. Scientists found that while Checua males carried a Native American DNA signature, their broader genetic profile showed deep isolation without links to later populations. Later groups living in the region had stronger ties to Venezuela and Central America, indicating a broader network across the continent.

Despite the prevalence of Chibchan languages today, modern Indigenous Colombians do not descend directly from the Checua or even the Herrera peoples connected to Chibchan culture. Professor Cosimo Posth emphasizes that genetics and culture should be distinguished, especially regarding Indigenous identity and self-perception.

This research reaches beyond genetics, incorporating knowledge from the Muisca culture, today’s descendants in Bogotá’s high plains. The team engaged with the Indigenous community to honor and respect their historical narrative.

This study marks Colombia’s first exploration of ancient DNA, and it sets the stage for further research. Many nearby regions have yet to be genetically analyzed, which could unveil more about the waves of people shaping the continent. Krettek emphasizes the importance of studying ancient DNA in understanding how humans migrated into South America.

This remarkable find not only enriches our understanding of history but also invites further exploration into the deep past of the Americas.



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