In the heart of the Sahara Desert, beneath the sands of what was once a lush, green landscape, scientists have uncovered a remarkable discovery: two 7,000-year-old mummies that challenge our understanding of human ancestry.
These mummies, found in the Takarkori rock shelter in southwestern Libya, belong to a group of herders from the “Green Sahara” period, a time when the Sahara was a fertile savanna supporting diverse life. What makes this discovery truly astonishing is that the DNA extracted from these mummies reveals a lineage distinct from any known human populations today.
Unlike other ancient groups, these individuals do not share genetic ties with modern Sub-Saharan Africans, Berbers, Arabs, or any other contemporary human groups. Instead, their DNA points to a previously unknown human lineage that diverged from other populations tens of thousands of years ago and remained isolated in North Africa. This “ghost population” had been only a faint genetic trace in modern humans until now.
The implications of this finding are profound. It suggests that the Sahara, during its green phase, was not just a corridor for migration but also a cradle for unique human populations with their own cultures and ways of life. The discovery also challenges previous ᴀssumptions about human migration patterns and interbreeding, highlighting the complexity of our evolutionary history.
Strange Fact: Despite the Sahara’s arid conditions today, it once supported a thriving ecosystem, complete with lakes and rivers, allowing for the development of complex societies long before the desertification process began.
This discovery opens a new chapter in the story of human evolution, reminding us that our history is far more intricate and diverse than we ever imagined.
