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Two Unknown Human Lineages Discovered in Modern DNA
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have identified two previously unknown human lineages whose genetic traces are embedded in modern humans. These 'ghost' ancestors interbred with early Homo sapiens more than 50,000 years ago, contributing approximately 1% to the human genome. A second lineage, termed a super-archaic ancestor, dates back 1.8 million years and left DNA fragments through Denisovans. The discovery challenges traditional views of human evolution as a linear process, revealing instead a complex web of interbreeding among diverse hominin populations. Using advanced genomic analysis techniques like TRACE (TRacking Archaic Contributions via ARG Estimation), scientists reconstructed ancient genealogical connections across hundreds of modern genomes. These findings suggest that early humans lived alongside multiple related groups in Africa and Eurasia, with genetic exchanges occurring over hundreds of thousands of years. The study highlights how archaic DNA segments, particularly those linked to immune defenses and metabolism, may have aided human adaptation to new environments. This research underscores the pervasive nature of ancient interbreeding and its role in shaping modern human genetics.
