Three New DNA Studies Are Shaking Up the History of Humans in the Americas

gizmodo ^ | George Dvorsky

[BenLurkin]

By sequencing and analyzing 15 ancient genomes found throughout the Americas—six of which were older than 10,000 years—these researchers determined that, around 8,000 years ago, the ancestors of Native Americans were still on the move, migrating away from Mesoamerica (what is today Mexico and Central America) toward both North and South America. These groups moved rapidly and unevenly, sometimes interbreeding with local populations, complicating the genetic—and historical—picture even further.

The close genetic similarity observed between some of the groups studied suggests rapid migratory speed through North and South America.

The Meltzer and Willerslev team, which included dozens of researchers from institutions around the globe, also identified a previously unknown population with a distinctly Australasian genetic marker—a very surprising discovery. Found at the Lagoa Santa archaeological site, this individual lived around 10,400 years ago in what is now Brazil. The researchers were not able to detect the Australasian genetic marker in any of the other samples studied, including those found in North America.

It’s highly unlikely that this population sailed from Australia or Indonesia to South America. Rather, this group likely trekked northward from their point of origin, venturing through China and Siberia. This population likely didn’t spend too much time in North America, eventually finding their way into South America, while leaving no genetic trace of their journey—aside from this lone specimen in Lagoa Santa. [Sounds to me like they DID sail direct]

Meltzer and Willerslev don’t know if this population arrived before or after the ancestors of Native Americans. This discovery now presents a very intriguing mystery, because this group could conceivably be the first humans to reach South America.

[TXnMA]

"Scientists can be more PC than anyone."

I'm a physical chemist.

Now that I'm retired, I'm also a full-time archæologist.

Believe me: as a genuine "hard science" scientist -- the vast majority of professional archæologists are not genuine "scientists".

TXnMA
 

[blam]

This is the face of the first known American, Lucia

The first Americans were descended from Australian aborigines, according to evidence in a new BBC documentary.

'First Americans Were Australian'

[rdl6989]

also identified a previously unknown population with a distinctly Australasian genetic marker—a very surprising discovery.

My jaw just hit the floor.

[Vigilanteman]

Good point. Unfortunately, much of what is Constitutionally recognized can be unrecognized by as little as one warped federalista judge . . . until and if it works its way to the supreme court.

[SunkenCiv]

:^)

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks TXnMA.

[SunkenCiv]

• The new face of South American people [Luzia not from Africa]

[wardaddy]

You can kind of tell