Ancient Siberian Boy's DNA Might Show Genetic Connection Between Europe and America
- 11 years ago
The oldest modern human genome to be mapped by scientists is that of a four year old Siberian boy who died around 24 thousand years ago. Researchers at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark who analyzed a bone sample from the remains of the Siberian boy found that there are genetic similarities between European populations, and Native American populations.
The oldest modern human genome to be mapped by scientists is that of a four year old Siberian boy who died around 24 thousand years ago.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark who analyzed a bone sample from the remains of the Siberian boy found that there are genetic similarities between European populations, and Native American populations.
Eske Willerslev, the lead researcher of the study from the University of Copenhagen said: “When we sequenced this genome, something strange appeared. Parts of the genome you find today in western Eurasians, other parts of the genome you find today in Native Americans - and are unique today to Native Americans.”
Results of the analysis imply that around a third of Native American genetic ancestry was derived from people related to ancient Europeans, based on the comparison of the Siberian boy’s genome with those of other modern human populations.
The boy shared very little genetic similarities with modern East Asian populations, so the study raises more questions about the migration of ancient human beings from the Eurasian continent to North America.
What do you think about the genetic connection between America and Europe that was discovered by researchers?
The oldest modern human genome to be mapped by scientists is that of a four year old Siberian boy who died around 24 thousand years ago.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark who analyzed a bone sample from the remains of the Siberian boy found that there are genetic similarities between European populations, and Native American populations.
Eske Willerslev, the lead researcher of the study from the University of Copenhagen said: “When we sequenced this genome, something strange appeared. Parts of the genome you find today in western Eurasians, other parts of the genome you find today in Native Americans - and are unique today to Native Americans.”
Results of the analysis imply that around a third of Native American genetic ancestry was derived from people related to ancient Europeans, based on the comparison of the Siberian boy’s genome with those of other modern human populations.
The boy shared very little genetic similarities with modern East Asian populations, so the study raises more questions about the migration of ancient human beings from the Eurasian continent to North America.
What do you think about the genetic connection between America and Europe that was discovered by researchers?