Key facts
- DNA from 7,000-year-old individuals was analyzed.
- The individuals were found in Libya.
- A previously unknown human lineage was discovered.
- This lineage remained genetically distinct for approximately 50,000 years.
- The discovery occurred during the Green Sahara period.
- The findings challenge assumptions about population mixing in the ancient Sahara.
Genetic material extracted from 7,000-year-old human remains discovered in Libya has revealed a distinct and previously unrecognized human lineage. This ancient population maintained genetic isolation for an estimated 50,000 years. The discovery was made during the "Green Sahara" period, a time when the region was significantly more verdant and habitable than it is today. The findings from this ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis challenge current assumptions regarding population dynamics and genetic exchange in North Africa during this prehistoric epoch. Researchers suggest that this isolated lineage indicates a more complex demographic history for the Sahara than previously theorized, with populations potentially remaining distinct for extended periods despite environmental shifts that might otherwise encourage migration and intermixing. The study contributes to a growing body of evidence that highlights the intricate population movements and genetic diversity of ancient North Africa.