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Japan Today
29-05-2025
- Science
- Japan Today
Ancient DNA reveals new group of people who lived near land bridge between the Americas
This image provided by William Usaquen and Andrea Casas-Vargas shows the high plains in Bogota, Colombia where a new group of humans lived 6,000 years ago. (William Usaquen, Andrea Casas-Vargas via AP) By ADITHI RAMAKRISHNAN Scientists have identified a new pod of ancient hunter-gatherers who lived near the land bridge between North America and South America about 6,000 years ago. Researchers are still charting how human populations spread across the Americas thousands of years ago, arriving first in North America before veering south. Groups that split off developed their own collection of genes that scientists can use to piece together the human family tree. Discovered through ancient DNA, the group lived in the high plateaus of present-day Bogotá, Colombia — close to where the Americas meet. Scientists aren't sure exactly where they fall in the family tree because they're not closely related to ancient Native Americans in North America and also not linked to ancient or present-day South Americans. The new study was published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances. 'Up to this point, we didn't believe there was any other lineage that would appear in South America," said archaeologist Andre Luiz Campelo dos Santos with Florida Atlantic University who was not involved with the new research. 'This is unexpected.' Just 4,000 years later, these ancient humans were gone and a genetically-different human clan inhabited the area. Scientists aren't sure exactly what happened to make them fade away — whether they mixed into a new, bigger group or were pushed out entirely. Analyzing more genes in South America will help confirm if this new group truly did disappear or if there could be evidence of their descendants elsewhere, said Campelo dos Santos. Studying these ancient Colombian genes are important to piecing together the history of the Americas since ancient people had to cross this land bridge to settle in and spread across South America. The area is 'the gateway to the South American continent,' said study author Andrea Casas-Vargas with the National University of Colombia. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Toronto Sun
28-05-2025
- Science
- Toronto Sun
Ancient DNA reveals a new group of people who lived near land bridge between the Americas
Published May 28, 2025 • 1 minute read This image provided by William Usaquen and Andrea Casas-Vargas shows the high plains in Bogota, Colombia where a new group of humans lived 6,000 years ago. (William Usaquen, Andrea Casas-Vargas via AP) AP NEW YORK (AP) — Scientists have identified a new pod of ancient hunter-gatherers who lived near the land bridge between North America and South America about 6,000 years ago. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Researchers are still charting how human populations spread across the Americas thousands of years ago, arriving first in North America before veering south. Groups that split off developed their own collection of genes that scientists can use to piece together the human family tree. Discovered through ancient DNA, the group lived in the high plateaus of present-day Bogota, Colombia — close to where the Americas meet. Scientists aren't sure exactly where they fall in the family tree because they're not closely related to ancient Native Americans in North America and also not linked to ancient or present-day South Americans. The new study was published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances. 'Up to this point, we didn't believe there was any other lineage that would appear in South America,' said archaeologist Andre Luiz Campelo dos Santos with Florida Atlantic University who was not involved with the new research. 'This is unexpected.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Just 4,000 years later, these ancient humans were gone and a genetically-different human clan inhabited the area. Scientists aren't sure exactly what happened to make them fade away — whether they mixed into a new, bigger group or were pushed out entirely. Analyzing more genes in South America will help confirm if this new group truly did disappear or if there could be evidence of their descendants elsewhere, said Campelo dos Santos. Studying these ancient Colombian genes are important to piecing together the history of the Americas since ancient people had to cross this land bridge to settle in and spread across South America. The area is 'the gateway to the South American continent,' said study author Andrea Casas-Vargas with the National University of Colombia. Toronto & GTA Canada Canada Tennis Music
