I recently read a very fascinating article by Katya Smith. Human DNA is indeed a tapestry woven with DNA that links us to our pasts. Some pasts may shock us to the core of how closely we may be related to many long-lost linkages: a history of undiscovered diversity. (Thread) 1/7
In fact, when human genomes were first discovered, it was way too complicated. In our history of evolution, we have picked up the genetic material of our predecessors. We are the sole survivors of the Homo genus, but our DNA speaks loudly of our ancestors. 2/7
In fact, interbreeding was quite prevalent in ancient times. The fossil DNAs now reveal different lineages of our ancestors which reveal how they interbred leading to new genetic lines that explains our present-day genetic diversity and interconnections. 3/7
According to research on Neanderthal bones, a huge number of people from the non-African descent have as high as 2% of Neanderthal DNA in their genome. Another research found that Australians & Papua New Guineans have Denisovan DNA. 4/7
This means that modern human ancestors interbred with Neanderthals which probably occurred due to migration. Different humanoid groups migrated and mated. Modern humans then rose from Africa after Neanderthals and Denisovans became extinct. 5/7
Some scientists also believe that humans didn’t all originate from Africa. They all evolved from many interconnected populations who migrated to that continent. This allowed for intermingling. Neanderthals absorbed small groups who then mated with our ancestors. 6/7
Population history is extremely complicated and is not all conclusive. Sometimes, alterative scenarios can have the same impact on the genome as is being predicted today. So, this is not all conclusive. Yet, we have come a long way in establishing our ancestral history. 7/7
