Mysterious mummies from the Sahara have overturned the understanding of human origins

Archaeologists from the Max Planck Institute in Germany have made an astonishing discovery in the territory of modern Libya. During excavations, two mummified skeletons were found, dating back approximately seven thousand years. These unique remains belong to a previously unknown group of ancient people who lived during a period when the Sahara was a flourishing green region.

The scientific world has been stirred by this discovery, which refutes established theories. It was previously believed that the inhabitants of the Green Sahara actively interacted with the populations of sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. However, the study showed that the discovered community developed in genetic isolation. DNA analysis of the mummies revealed minimal presence of Neanderthal genes, which radically distinguishes them from ancient humans who inhabited territories outside the African continent.

According to researchers, the unusual genetic composition of the ancient inhabitants of the region could have formed due to the absence of long-term contacts with migrating peoples. Instead of cultural and genetic mixing, there was only an exchange of knowledge, especially in the field of agricultural practices. Scientists have established that approximately 7-8 thousand years ago, this group began to develop animal husbandry, taking advantage of the favorable conditions of the fertile Sahara.

The genetic material of the mummies reveals a connection with ancient hunter-gatherers who inhabited the territory of modern Morocco about 15 thousand years ago. Although their genetic line has not survived in its pure form to the present day, the study confirmed that their legacy is present in the genetic code of modern inhabitants of North Africa.

This discovery refuted the widespread hypothesis about the migration of farmers from the Middle East to this region. Scientists concluded that instead of resettlement and genetic mixing, there was a transfer of knowledge about animal husbandry. This finding is recognized as extremely important for understanding the history of the population of North Africa, reports the Daily Mail.