Groundbreaking Research Reveals Isolated Population in Green Sahara
A team from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, led by senior researcher Johannes Krause and first author Nada Salem, has discovered evidence of a previously unknown human lineage that inhabited North Africa’s Central Sahara more than 7,000 years ago. This remarkable finding challenges existing theories about ancient migration patterns and genetic exchanges across Africa.
The Green Sahara: A Cultural Exchange Hub Rather Than Migration Corridor
The research centered on two ancient Libyan mummies from the Takarkori rock shelter, providing valuable insights into life during the African Humid Period when the Sahara was a lush savanna supporting human communities and pastoralism. Contrary to previous beliefs, genomic analysis revealed minimal sub-Saharan African ancestry in these individuals, suggesting that herding practices spread through cultural exchange rather than population movements. The limited genetic mixing between North African and sub-Saharan populations highlights the distinctiveness of this North African lineage.
Genetic Isolation and Reduced Neandertal DNA
One of the study’s most significant findings is the genetic profile of the Takarkori individuals, who possessed considerably less Neandertal DNA compared to populations outside Africa. This indicates they belonged to a largely isolated population, preserving deep genetic continuity in North Africa, particularly during the late Ice Age. While this pure ancient lineage may no longer exist independently, its genetic signature remains an important component in modern North African ancestry.
Links to Ancient Moroccan Cultures
The research establishes connections between these individuals and 15,000-year-old foragers from Morocco’s Taforalt Cave, associated with the Iberomaurusian culture. Both groups show similar genetic distance from sub-Saharan lineages, reinforcing that even during the Green Sahara period, genetic exchange between these regions remained minimal.
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Reshaping Our Understanding of North African History
This research extends beyond genetics, challenging previous assumptions about North African population history. The discovery reveals a deeply rooted, long-isolated genetic lineage and highlights how cultural exchange, rather than mass migration, shaped the spread of pastoralism across the Green Sahara.
The preservation of ancient DNA in such a harsh desert environment makes this study particularly valuable. As the once-verdant landscape transformed into the world’s largest desert, preserving genetic material became increasingly difficult, making this research a pioneering contribution to ancient DNA studies in the region.
This groundbreaking work not only enriches our understanding of North Africa’s past but also demonstrates the crucial role of ancient DNA in reconstructing human history, offering a clearer picture of the complex tapestry of human existence that has shaped our world.
