Latest news with #DNAanalysis
The Herald
2 days ago
- The Herald
DNA analysis confirms remains are of journalist Aserie Ndlovu and partner
DNA analysis of human remains found in Rust De Winter in Limpopo on May 8 has positively linked them to those of journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and Zodwa Mdhluli. The couple was reported missing on February 18. 'The human remains were analysed and matched with the reference sample of the biological relatives of the deceased,' police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said in a statement on Wednesday. Police have already notified both families. Four suspects arrested in this case are currently appearing before the KwaMhlanga magistrate's court on various charges including kidnapping, house robbery and possession of stolen property. The African Media and Communicators Forum (AMCF) and the National Press Club (NPC) welcomed the latest developments. They said they did not come as a surprise because the location where the remains were discovered was pointed out by the suspects after their arrest. They said this milestone would lead the families closer to the truth. 'We wish to convey our gratitude to the SAPS for keeping to their promise that in four weeks the results would be available. 'We confirm that the families in Ga-Rankuwa [Ndlovu] and Thembisa [Mdhluli] were visited earlier this evening by the police where the results were disclosed to them,' said Elijah Mhlanga, chairperson of the AMCF. He said the families were relieved and could now begin with plans for funerals. Acting chairperson of the NPC Antoinette Slabbert said it had been an agonising wait for the results after months of grief following the mysterious disappearance of the couple. 'We hope that the evidence will also serve in court in the murder charges against the accused,' Slabbert said. The memorial services and funeral arrangements will be communicated once the families have finalised the details. TimesLIVE
The Sun
3 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Bizarre 1,350-year-old burial of blue-eyed ‘Ice Prince' uncovered alongside dismembered sacrifice and treasure
ARCHAEOLOGISTS have uncovered the 1,350-year-old burial chamber of a young blue-eyed boy, packed full with ancient treasures. A small sword, rare silk clothes and a gold cross were just a handful of the items found with the child, indicating he came from a wealthy family. 5 5 5 He was buried in leather clothes, according to researchers, with a small sword on a richly decorated belt. The boy, who experts believe was 2.5-years-old when he died, was buried with silver bracelets on his arms and silver spurs attached to his shoes, according to a statement from the Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation (BLfD). The boy has been dubbed the "Ice Prince" because archaeologists flash froze the burial chamber using liquid nitrogen to excavate its contents in a single block over 14 hours. DNA analysis suggested the boy had blue eyes and light-colored hair, while radiocarbon dating indicates he died between A.D. 670 and 680. A new study of the burial, which was first discovered in the town of Mattsies in Bavaria in 2021, has revealed the body was laid on a fur blanket within the chamber. One of the boy's garments was a long-sleeved shirt made from linen and trimmed with strips of silk. Silk was hard to come by at the time, and was only available through the Byzantine Empire, according to LiveScience. The cross, made from thin strips of gold, may also indicate early Christian beliefs, before Bavaria was Christianised in the eighth century. A bronze basin, a comb, a wooden bowl and a drinking cup with silver fittings were also placed on a woven mat at the foot of the body. The remains of hazelnuts, apples and a pear were also found, alongside dismembered remains of an animal. Experts first thought these bones belonged to a dog. However, the creature has since been identified as a piglet, which may have been cooked and placed as a food offering. The latest analysis from BLfD suggests the child died of a "chronic infection" in the middle-ear. "The boy's death must have shocked his regionally important family," the statement said. "They apparently made great efforts to give the child a burial in keeping with his social status." The burial chamber was made of stone, with a stone ceiling that sealed the remains and artefacts off from the world for 1,350 years. The entire burial, therefore, was in "excellent condition," according to the experts. While silk is relatively durable, it is still susceptible to degrading over time, which can make long-term preservation challenging. However, the tightly sealed was able to preserve much of the fabric, researchers said. 5 5
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Traces of Mysterious Ancient Human Population Discovered in Colombia
Colombia sits on the land through which Homo sapiens first spread from Central America to South America more than 14,500 years ago, making it a crucial population gateway. Researchers have now found evidence of a previously unknown people who once lived there. Specifically, an international team has traced back 6,000 years of history, based on DNA analysis of 21 sets of carefully chosen human remains. The remains were collected from five sites across the Altiplano plateau, in central Colombia. These DNA records reveal a fascinating timeline, including the existence of an ancient population with genetics unrelated to any modern descendants – a group of people who may have been some of the earliest settlers in South America, but who subsequently disappeared completely. "We couldn't find descendants of these early hunter-gatherers of the Colombian high plains – the genes were not passed on," says anthropologist Kim-Louise Krettek, from the University of Tübingen, in Germany. "That means in the area around Bogotá there was a complete exchange of the population." DNA contains the genetic instructions we need to grow into the people we are, with contributions from parents, grandparents, and generations before them. By studying it, scientists can work out links between generations – and see how these generations moved and evolved over time. While one group was settled in the Colombian region around 6,000 years ago, a different community, with completely separate genetics, called the area home starting about 2,000 years ago. These people, who would've most likely spoken Chibchan languages, do have known genetic links to modern groups from the lower part of Central America. This later group also represents a cultural shift, from the hunter-gatherers of the original population, to people who were skilled in pottery-making and more sophisticated types of agriculture. It seems that these people stayed in place until settlers from Europe started arriving in the 16th century. "That genetic traces of the original population disappear completely is unusual, especially in South America," says geneticist Andrea Casas-Vargas, from the National University of Colombia. What happened to this newly discovered group, established 6,000 years ago, is something the researchers don't speculate on – though the usual causes of conflict or disease may be responsible. It's something future studies could look into. Even with many questions remaining unanswered though, the research offers some valuable insight into the history of South America and some of the earliest people to venture down from the north. Earlier studies have suggested that the story of indigenous people in the region may be more complex than previously thought, and genetic links to South America have connected its people to places as far away as Australia. With Colombia sitting right on the land bridge between South America and the continent to the north of it, however, it's a particularly important place to study – and it likely has more secrets to give up yet. "These are the first ancient human genomes from Colombia ever to be published," says anthropologist Cosimo Posth, from the University of Tübingen. The research has been published in Science Advances. Here's How to Detect a Fake Smile, According to Science What Makes Someone a Narcissist? Scientists Just Found a Big Clue Remains of 3,000-Year-Old Maya City Discovered in Guatemala
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Yahoo
Logging company workers discover human remains in Plumas County
Human remains have been found in a remote part of Plumas County. The Plumas County Sheriff's Office said a private logging company reported the discovery of the remains northeast of the small town of Cromberg on Friday. Investigators confirmed that the remains were human but said a positive identification was not currently possible due to 'advanced decomposition.' DNA analysis and other methods will be used to try to identify the person. The sheriff's office is asking anyone with information related to this case to contact its investigations unit at 530-283-6363.
