Ancient Mummies' DNA Reveals Unknown Human Lineage in African Desert

A surprising archaeological discovery in the African desert has puzzled the scientific community. Two mummies, over 7,000 years old, were discovered in the Takarkori rock shelter. Their DNA does not match any known human, suggesting a parallel human line that remained isolated for millennia. "We were very fortunate to have samples preserved at this level," said study co-author Nada Salem, a paleogeneticist [paleo-geneticist] at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany, to Science magazine. The region's high temperatures can quickly decompose the DNA of human remains, leaving few examples of ancient DNA in the region. The study, published on April 2, 2025, in the journal Nature, reveals that these women shared no genetic relationship with nearby populations. Their lineage separated from the rest of humans more than 60,000 years ago. Furthermore, traces of Neanderthal DNA were detected, indicating possible ancient contacts with other human species. The researchers emphasize that the excellent state of DNA preservation, thanks to the petrous [pe-truss] bone of the inner ear, has been key to this discovery. The Sahara region, once a humid and fertile environment known as the "Green Sahara", was home to human communities that hunted and raised livestock alongside lakes and rivers. This finding could rewrite fundamental chapters of human evolution, opening new questions about the genetic diversity of ancient populations and migration processes in Africa. Ancient DNA is revolutionizing our understanding of human history and revealing secrets that once seemed unattainable.