Ancient Mystery: Scientists Discover 7,000-Year-Old Mummies in the Desert with Unique DNA Traits Unrelated to Modern Humans

Two 7,000-year-old mummies were found in the Takarkori rock shelter, located in today’s Sahara Desert. These remains belong to a group of female herders whose ancestry is surprising. Unlike what researchers expected, their DNA doesn’t show the typical Sub-Saharan traits.

Back in time, the Sahara was not the arid land we see today. It was once green and flourishing, known as the Green Sahara, between 14,800 and 5,500 years ago. During this period, the desert had enough water to support early human settlements. A mysterious population lived there, possibly overlooking its Sub-Saharan roots, as DNA analyses reveal their connections are much closer to North Africans.

Led by archaeogeneticist Nada Salem from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, researchers analyzed the mummies’ DNA. They found that the mummies belong to a previously unknown genetic line in North Africa. This population split off from Sub-Saharan groups long ago and remained mostly isolated. Their closest relatives are foragers from Taforalt Cave in Morocco, suggesting limited gene flow between these groups.

Interestingly, while the Takarkori had less Neanderthal DNA than other groups, they still had more than some Sub-Saharan peoples. This suggests they had unique interactions with Neanderthal populations, possibly more than other nearby communities. Additionally, evidence shows they also mixed with farmers from the Levant, hinting at an intriguing history of limited genetic exchange.

Traditionally, it was believed that knowledge about farming spread through migrations. However, Salem’s team proposes a new idea: the spread was likely through cultural exchanges rather than large-scale migrations. They argue that the Takarkori genes may stem from a pre-agricultural group, despite their involvement in early advancements like pottery and tool-making.

The diverse environments of the Green Sahara, from lakes to woodlands, might have limited interactions between different human groups, allowing this unique lineage to flourish.

As research continues, more discoveries may lie hidden beneath the sands of the Sahara. Each finding could offer a clearer understanding of life before this vibrant region became the vast desert we know today.

For deeper insights on ancient human genetics, you can check articles in trusted sources like Nature.

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Green Sahara, human populations, the Sahara, DNA analysis, rock shelter, Sub-Saharan, North African