Pleistocene North African genomes link Near Eastern and sub-Saharan African human populations
van de Loosdrecht M, Bouzouggar A, Humphrey L et al.
Publication Details
Comprehensive information about this research publication
Abstract
Summary of the research findings
North Africa is a key region for understanding human history, but the genetic history of its people is largely unknown. We present genomic data from seven 15,000-year-old modern humans, attributed to the Iberomaurusian culture, from Morocco. We find a genetic affinity with early Holocene Near Easterners, best represented by Levantine Natufians, suggesting a pre-agricultural connection between Africa and the Near East. We do not find evidence for gene flow from Paleolithic Europeans to Late Pleistocene North Africans. The Taforalt individuals derive one-third of their ancestry from sub-Saharan Africans, best approximated by a mixture of genetic components preserved in present-day West and East Africans. Thus, we provide direct evidence for genetic interactions between modern humans across Africa and Eurasia in the Pleistocene.
Ancient DNA Samples
14 ancient DNA samples referenced in this publication
| Sample ID | Date/Era | Country | Locality | Sex | mtDNA | Y-DNA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAF013 | 13200 BCE | Morocco | Taforalt | M | U6a7b |
E-M78 |
| TAF014 | 13200 BCE | Morocco | Taforalt | M | M1b |
E-M78 |
| TAF015 | 13200 BCE | Morocco | Taforalt | M | U6a1b |
E-M78 |
| TAF010 | 13137 BCE | Morocco | Taforalt | M | U6a7b |
E-M78 |
| TAF011 | 12900 BCE | Morocco | Taforalt | M | U6a7d |
E-M78 |
| TAF012 | 12888 BCE | Morocco | Taforalt | F | U6a7d |
|
| TAF009 | 12849 BCE | Morocco | Taforalt | M | U6a6b |
E-M78 |
| TAF009 | 12849 BCE | Morocco | Taforalt | M | U6a6b |
E-M78 |
| TAF012 | 12888 BCE | Morocco | Taforalt | F | U6a7d |
|
| TAF013 | 13200 BCE | Morocco | Taforalt | M | U6a7b |
E-M78 |
| TAF010 | 13137 BCE | Morocco | Taforalt | M | U6a7b |
E-M78 |
| TAF015 | 13200 BCE | Morocco | Taforalt | M | U6a1b |
E-M78 |
| TAF014 | 13200 BCE | Morocco | Taforalt | M | M1b |
E-M78 |
| TAF011 | 12900 BCE | Morocco | Taforalt | M | U6a7d |
E-M78 |
Analysis
Comprehensive review of ancestry and genetic findings
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