Researchers have reconstructed the oldest human genomes ever found in South Africa from two individuals who lived around 10,000 years ago. This breakthrough offers deeper insights into the region’s ancient population dynamics, according to University of Cape Town (UCT) professor Victoria Gibbon.
The genomes were recovered from a man and woman whose remains were found at Oakhurst Rock Shelter, near the coastal town of George. The study reconstructed 13 genetic sequences from people who lived between 1,300 and 10,000 years ago, making them the oldest genomes found in the region—predating earlier discoveries by 8,000 years.
Surprisingly, the genetic data showed that these ancient individuals were closely related to modern-day San and Khoekhoe groups, indicating long-term genetic stability in southern Africa. In contrast to Europe, where large-scale genetic changes occurred over millennia due to human migrations, southern Africa’s population remained relatively stable until the arrival of pastoralists and farmers about 1,200 years ago.
The study highlights the potential of newer DNA technology to extract ancient genomes from regions where such evidence is poorly preserved. “Sites like Oakhurst are rare and provide a clearer picture of population movements over nearly 9,000 years,” Gibbon said.
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