An international team of scientists led by experts from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig sequenced ancient genomes from a Libyan rock shelter called Takarkori. The study reveals the genetic history of pastoralists who inhabited the region 7000 years ago.
The DNA from two natural mummies showed that these people belonged to an isolated North African lineage that separated from sub-Saharan populations around 50,000 years ago. Analysis refuted the hypothesis that the 'Green Sahara' (14,500-5,000 years ago) served as a corridor for migrations between the north and south of the continent.
The scientists found that the individuals studied had only a small admixture of non-African ancestry. “Pastoralism could have come to the Sahara without large-scale human migration,” explained Nadia Salem, lead author of the study.
Johannes Krause, senior author of the study, noted: “Early North African groups, remaining isolated, received a small fraction of Neanderthal genes due to contacts with other populations.” David Caramelli from the University of Florence emphasized: “This research is a breakthrough in studying ancient migrations; it confirms archaeological hypotheses using genetics methods.” Archaeologist Savino di Lernia from Sapienza University added: “Understanding the past of the Sahara helps trace paths of human adaptation to extreme conditions.”