DNA from ancient skeletons reveals a lost branch of modern humans

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Excavating the 8000-year-old remains of two boys in Cameroon

Isabelle Ribot

DNA evidence from four ancient skeletons uncovered in western Cameroon has revealed a long-lost mystery branch of early modern humans, suggesting we may need to rethink our species’ family tree.

The skeletons all belonged to children who were buried at a rock shelter at a site called Shum Laka. Two of the skeletons are 8000 years old, and the other two are about 3000 years old. Despite living 5000 years apart, genetic analysis by David Reich at Harvard Medical School and his colleagues suggests that they were from the …

source: newscientist.com