What this 10,000-year-old DNA reveals about human evolution

This discovery is unexpected in the genetic archives of southern Africa.

Scientists have reconstructed the history of populations that lived 10,000 years ago. And what they found could challenge our understanding of human evolution.


Researchers analyzed the genome of thirteen individuals from the Oakhurst rock shelter in South Africa. Their remains, dated between 1,300 and 10,000 years ago, reveal an unexpected genetic history. This region, rich in archaeological remains, is known for its human burials and stone tools dating back 12,000 years. Generations left a genetic imprint here over thousands of years.

What stands out in the results is the remarkable genetic similarity observed between these ancient individuals, who lived millennia ago, and today's San and Khoekhoe groups. This astonishing genetic stability challenges observations made in other parts of the world, where significant changes have often been seen over time.

In Europe, for example, genetic studies show numerous changes over the millennia, driven by massive migrations. In southern Africa, populations seem to have evolved differently. It was only around 1,300 years B.C.E. that this stability began to erode. The arrival of new peoples, particularly livestock herders from the East and farmers from the West, mixed with the local DNA.

The researchers caution, however, that this study, based on a small sample, cannot provide a complete portrait. New discoveries could further refine our view of this complex period.

These results help shed light on the history of interactions between genes, cultures, and technologies over centuries. Advances in ancient DNA extraction continue to unveil the mysteries of human evolution.

What is genetic stability and why is it important?

Genetic stability refers to the conservation of a population's genetic traits over time. It means that population groups show little genetic variation despite environmental or cultural changes. In the case of southern Africa, studies show a genetic continuity between ancestors living 10,000 years ago and modern populations like the San and Khoekhoe.

Understanding genetic stability helps researchers to better grasp the evolution of human societies and trace ancient migrations. It also sheds light on relationships between groups, their adaptation, and survival through trials over the millennia.