Molecular archaeology: What ancient genes tell us about who we are

Phys dot org ^ | June 2, 2022 | University of Vienna

[SunkenCiv]

Using the latest scientific methods, Tom Higham and Katerina Douka from the University of Vienna want to solve a great mystery of human evolution: Why are we the only humans left? Higham and Douka were the first ones to find a first-generation offspring of two different types of human. They continuously publish new results in high impact journals, most recently in Science Advances.

Our ancient cousins are more present in modern human DNA than we thought: Modern humans possess a small proportion of genes from archaic groups like Neanderthals. Every person having a European or Asian background has an average of two percent of Neanderthal DNA in their blood. For persons having an African background, this number is smaller. This explains not only some genetic dispositions in modern humans, it is also proof that different human species had contact more than 40,000 years ago.

Examining ancient fragments of bone and teeth is the daily business of molecular archaeologists Tom Higham and Katerina Douka. The two have worked together with others for the last 15 years to understand more about what happened in the crucial Paleolithic period, or Old Stone Age. It is likely that there were at least eight different species of humans on Earth (perhaps even more) between 150,000–30,000 years ago—and they sometimes exchanged genetic material through inter-breeding. "Today is a very unusual time in terms of human evolution." Tom Higham explains, "For several million years, we shared the planet with different groups

[SunkenCiv]

(his speaking style is a bit trying IMHO. Also, in an April 2019 vid, about how everyone is probably descended from Medieval royalty, he referred to film pioneer "Charlie Chapman". And he uses the term "direct ancestor" -- there are indirect ancestors, either someone is your ancestor, or they not)

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[SunkenCiv]

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[SunkenCiv]

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[SunkenCiv]

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[Beowulf9]

I don’t need to do this. I’m a redhead. I read recently all redheads are related, which includes Elizabeth I, King Henry VIII, many redheads out there, so I know I AM related to royalty.

[Getready]

Another reason for some to start ranking people.....ranked by the least or most neanderthal DNA. A new racism based on DNA differences. Are we brothers or what?

[Inyo-Mono]

It is likely that there were at least eight different species of humans on Earth (perhaps even more) between 150,000–30,000 years ago.

That has been hypothesized for at least 40 years now.

[SunkenCiv]

"Gingergene" and "gingers" keywords, sorted, duplicates out:

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• Find Your Inner (Genetic) Neanderthal [06/10/2013]
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• The Pain of Being a Redhead [08/08/2009]
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• DNA Traces Roots Back To Stone Age [03/25/2002]
• Genetic Survey Reveals Hidden Celts Of England [12/06/2001]

[Tell It Right]

The idea is that the presence of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes supposedly indicate neanderthal ancestry because they supposedly aren't present in remains in Africa but are in Europe and Asia (where many neanderthals are, and the neanderthals have that gene).

But it turns out that many African and Middle Eastern remains also have the HLA gene with variants and date back to pre-migration. Thus, the presence of the HLA in both humans and neanderthals are back to being: "so what? One Creator created everything anyway so there's liable to be some common traits among much of His design." (my words)

For me details: https://reasons.org/explore/publications/reasons-newsletter/did-humans-and-neanderthals-interbreed

[Beowulf9]

How in the world did you do that so fast?!!! 🤣

That dentist one is spot on.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

I am going to go out on a limb here and say that when you can interbreed and produce fertile offspring you are not a different species.

Just a different breed.

[marktwain]

I am going to go out on a limb here and say that when you can interbreed and produce fertile offspring you are not a different species.

Just a different breed.

Your definition was the standard definition for a species, 45 years ago.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

What can I say, I am an old fashion kind of person.

[desertfreedom765]

It also depends if the offspring are fertile. I.E Mules.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

I did include that part.

[Jessarah]

“It is likely that there were at least eight different species of humans on Earth (perhaps even more) between 150,000–30,000 years ago—and they sometimes exchanged genetic material through inter-breeding.”

I would think that if you can exchange genetical material through inter-breeding you would be the same species.

[gleeaikin]

So we have 8 species/subspecies(?). I know sapiens sapiens, neanderthal, denisovan, and flores. What are the other four called, and where were they known? My son had his genetic testing done by Ancestry. He also had me and my husband back analyzed by them. Ancestry does not do Neanderthal. I have shoveled lateral upper incisors as does that son which is suppoed to be a Neanderthal trait. Apperently I have about about 6 to 9% far,far, eastern European (probably from my East Prussian upper class ancestors). Descendents of The Golden Hoard (Mongol). Might I have Denisovan rather than, or in addition to Neanderthal? Does any ancestry service test for both of these?

[aquila48]

“Every person having a European or Asian background has an average of two percent of Neanderthal DNA in their blood.”

My brother had his DNA analyzed and it indeed did show 2% Neanderthal.

[PIF]

Hurry on down!! You too can have a permanent place in China’s Peoples Liberation Army’s gigantic DNA database!! Don’t worry they will only use it to create their long sought genetic virus, targeting specific individuals and whole races.

[SunkenCiv]

/bingo