Scientists have successfully reconstructed the oldest known human genome in South Africa, dating back approximately 10,000 years. This discovery offers new insights into the region’s demographic history, according to a statement released on Sunday by one of the study’s contributing researchers.
Victoria Gibbon, a biological anthropology professor at the University of Cape Town, explained that the genetic sequencing comes from a man and a woman whose remains were found in the Oakhurst rock shelter, near George, on South Africa’s southern coast.
This sequencing is part of 13 genomes that have been reconstructed from individuals whose remains were discovered at the same site, dating between 1,300 and 10,000 years ago. Prior to these findings, the oldest reconstructed genomes in the region were around 2,000 years old.
Surprising Genetic Similarities
The University of Cape Town stated that the Oakhurst study revealed an unexpected result: the ancient genomes were genetically similar to modern-day populations from the San and Khoikhoi groups, who still inhabit the region.
Josha Gertzenzinger, the study’s lead author from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, noted, “Similar studies in Europe have shown a history of widespread genetic changes due to human migration over the past 10,000 years.”
However, Gertzenzinger added that the findings from southern Africa are entirely different, indicating a long history of relative genetic stability in the region.
Genetic Stability Until 1,200 Years Ago
Current DNA evidence suggests that this genetic stability lasted until around 1,200 years ago. At that time, new settlers introduced farming, herding, and new languages to the area, beginning interactions with the local hunter-gatherer groups.
Gibbon also pointed out that while South Africa holds some of the oldest human remains, preservation has often been a challenge. Thanks to new technological advances, it is now possible to extract DNA from these ancient remains.
Scarcity of Ancient Genomes in Africa
Unlike Europe and Asia, where thousands of ancient genomes have been reconstructed, fewer than 20 ancient genomes have been found in southern Africa, specifically in countries like Botswana, South Africa, and Zambia.
Gibbon highlighted the rarity of such sites in South Africa, noting that the Oakhurst study offers significant insight into the movement and relationships of local populations over the past 9,000 years.
