Ancient Mummies Unveil Previously Unknown Human Lineage Diverged Thousands of Years Ago
Ancient DNA Rewrites Sahara’s Human History: 7,000-Year-Old Mummies Reveal Lost Lineage
A groundbreaking DNA study of two mummies found in present-day Libya has uncovered a previously unknown group of humans who thrived in Northern Africa around 7,000 years ago. The discovery, led by scientists from Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, challenges long-held beliefs about ancient migrations and cultural exchange in the Sahara.
A Hidden Genetic Legacy
The two female skeletons, unearthed in the Takarkori rock shelter in southwestern Libya, carried DNA linking them to a population of Ice Age foragers who lived in modern-day Morocco 15,000 years ago. However, their genetic makeup shows almost no connection to sub-Saharan African, Middle Eastern, or European groups. Surprisingly, these individuals also had significantly less Neanderthal DNA (1-2% less) than contemporaneous humans outside Africa.
“This group was genetically isolated, despite living in a ‘Green Sahara’ that was once a lush crossroads for migrating populations,” said lead researcher Nada Salem. Between 5,000 and 14,500 years ago, the Sahara was a fertile region with lakes and grasslands, ideal for farming and herding. Yet, the study suggests this community avoided interbreeding with outsiders.
Caption: The Takarkori mummies’ DNA shows a lineage distinct from neighboring populations.
Cultural Diffusion, Not Migration
The findings, published in Nature, dismantle theories that Middle Eastern herders migrated en masse into the Sahara. Instead, the researchers propose cultural diffusion—ideas like livestock herding spread through knowledge sharing, not population replacement.
Around 7,000–8,000 years ago, herding practices likely arrived from the Middle East. The Green Sahara’s grasslands made it ideal for grazing, but genetic evidence shows no lasting influx of Middle Eastern genes. “Locals adopted herding as a practical skill, not due to foreign invasion,” the team explained.
A Vanished People
Though vanished as a distinct group, this lineage remains a cornerstone of modern North Africans’ ancestry. “Their DNA is fragmented today but still forms a vital part of the region’s genetic puzzle,” researchers noted. Their isolation in a vibrant ecosystem underscores how cultural and genetic histories can diverge.
Caption: The Green Sahara’s fertile landscape supported early herding practices.
Reshaping Human History
The discovery highlights the complexity of ancient human interactions. While the Green Sahara seemed a melting pot, certain groups chose isolation, preserving unique genetic identities. This reshapes narratives of Africa’s role in human evolution, emphasizing localized adaptation over homogenization.
The study underscores that history isn’t just written by migrations—it’s also shaped by the silent resilience of secluded communities.
Read more about North Africa’s genetic heritage in Nature.
