A study of ancient DNA from the Oakhurst rock shelter in South Africa has revealed remarkable genetic continuity over 12,000 years, challenging the traditional understanding of population movements in the region. The research shows that the people inhabiting the site, from 10,000 years ago to as recently as 1,300 years ago, were genetically similar to contemporary San and Khoekhoe populations, demonstrating a unique long-term stability in the genetic history of southernmost Africa.
Scientists have unearthed the oldest cheese ever discovered, a 3,600-year-old specimen found in a Bronze Age grave in northwest China. This discovery sheds light on the early use of fermentation to preserve food and provides insights into the cultural practices of the ancient Xiaohe people.
A new study analyzing ancient DNA from Easter Island challenges the long-held belief that the island experienced a self-inflicted population collapse. Instead, the research suggests a gradual population increase until the 1860s, when Peruvian slave raids significantly reduced the population.
Gold miners in Siberia have stumbled upon a remarkable discovery: a mummified woolly rhino carcass with its horn and soft tissues still intact. This rare find, unearthed in the Oymyakon District of the Sakha Republic, presents a unique opportunity for scientists to study the history of the region and the extinct creature.
New findings paint a detailed picture of Avar society, drawing on ancient DNA analysis from hundreds of individuals buried in southeastern Central Europe over a millennium ago. Genetic data reveals complex kinship patterns and intricate social practices, including patrilineal descent, female exogamy, and levirate unions. The research highlights the use of ancient DNA to illuminate entire communities in the past.
