Uncovered Bones May Point to a “Ghost Population”

The DNA was remarkably intact, and its analysis has led scientists to completely rethink present conceptions of early humans within the region. In fact, they believe they have uncovered a new “ghost population.”

So, to find any human remains is exciting, but the bones they found are especially interesting as their DNA turned out to be quite different than what archeologists were expecting.

It has helped us learn about when we first originated as modern Homo sapiens, where we came from, where we migrated, ancient lifestyles, and much more.

Scientists believe that about 200,000 years ago Homo sapiens really began transitioning into what we think of as modern humans. Advanced tools, linguistic ability, and symbolic thinking all factored into the shift from earlier hominids into modern humans.

Over time, Homo sapiens gradually made their way out of Africa and across the entire globe. 

And every so often, we stumble onto discoveries that cause us to rethink previous models–such as in the case of the ancient bones recently uncovered in Cameroon.

In archaeological and population studies, a “ghost population” refers to a previously missing piece in the story of humankind that can be deduced without direct evidence.

Although no artifacts or fossil records remain, we can infer their details of their existence with the evidence we do have from contemporary populations.

It is here that the Bantu language–the basis of many African languages–developed among early humans. And where many archaeologists believe many of the first Homo sapiens lived.

And that over an extended period in prehistory, the original Bantu-speaking groups bloomed and spread across central, eastern, and southern Africa.

And that is because, according to the DNA collected from the four skeletons they found, these children were not the ancient ancestors of the Bantu speakers as the archeologists first assumed.

In pursuit of this missing population, researchers began comparing the newly discovered DNA with the DNA of other populations in the area. Eventually, they were able to find genetic kinsfolk.

This conclusion was made when a sample of DNA found at Shum Laka was found to carry a rare Y-chromosome genetic marker that can be found in the other ancient skeletons as well as current Baika and Aka populations. 

With this DNA, as well as a sample taken from a current member of the Baika and Aka tribe, they were able to deduce that these skeletons are, in fact, their direct ancestors.

This marker almost only ever appears in the region surrounding the archeological site, and finding it within the bones of the recently discovered children will certainly change the way historians understand the history of humankind.

He continued, “This underscores the ancient genetic diversity in this region and points to a previously unknown population that contributed only small proportions of DNA to present-day African groups.”

He and his co-authors wrote that due to their research, they now “infer an Africa-wide phylogeny that features widespread admixture and three prominent radiations, including one that gave rise to at least four major lineages deep in the history of modern humans.”

Unlike modern ancestry, these different peoples could have very distinct evolutionary traits, making them incredibly important in understanding human evolution.

He continued, “[they] emphasize the power of ancient DNA to lift the veil over the human past that has been cast by recent population movements.”

For decades, historians and academics have believed that hunter-gatherers originated about 200,000 years ago.

And although it may not seem like a large difference, it truly does change the way archeologists understand human evolution.

But with some of the world’s most intelligent minds on the job, it’s certainly likely that this information may become the new accepted belief system for academics around the world.

Now, researchers can begin reconstructing a far richer picture of the ancient groups that populated the Bantu Language Basin, as well as humankind as a whole. 

Luckily, the future does not seem to be as bleak for ancient DNA recovery in the Shum Laka region. Hopefully scientists will be able to recover more samples and begin constructing a more reliable model with further evidence.