Humans carry a complex genetic history that continues to reveal surprises.
Scientists have found that 20% of our DNA may come from a mysterious ancestor, according to WP.
This discovery changes how we understand human evolution. It also raises new questions about the development of our brains and nervous system.
Recent research suggests that modern humans share DNA with an unknown population.
Scientists believe that our ancestors split from this group about 1.5 million years ago.
Around 300,000 years ago, they reconnected and mixed again. This genetic exchange may have influenced brain function and contributed to our cognitive abilities.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have used a new method to analyze genetic data.
This method, called "cobraa," helps reconstruct events from hundreds of thousands of years ago.
Their study shows that modern humans come from two main ancestral groups. One of these groups experienced a decline in numbers over time.
Aylwyn Scally, a geneticist at the University of Cambridge, believes this discovery adds complexity to human history.
Scientists now think that genes from the smaller group may have played a key role in shaping human intelligence.
The findings suggest that human evolution was not a simple, linear process but a story of repeated interactions and genetic mixing.
Researchers are still unsure where this unknown population came from. Some suspect it could have been different groups of Homo erectus or Homo heidelbergensis.
If so, our ancestors had more interactions with other hominins than previously thought.
The study, published in Nature Genetics, points to the importance of genetic exchange in evolution. However, some scientists remain cautious.
John Hawks, an anthropologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, notes that the data comes from the 1000 Genomes Project, which does not include a strong representation of African populations.
He believes the findings should be seen as a starting point rather than a definitive answer.
The evolution of species is a complex and ongoing process. Understanding our genetic past requires time and further research.
Scientists continue to study how interbreeding shaped our DNA, as similar patterns exist across the animal kingdom.
These findings open new doors for exploring human origins and the forces that shaped who we are today.
