Ancient Teeth's 4,500-Year-Old DNA Unveils Mysteries of a Long-Lost Civilization
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have sequenced the genome of an individual from the Old Kingdom period (around 2855-2570 BCE), providing insights into the genetic ancestry of ancient Egyptians during this time. The study, published in the journal Nature, marks the first full genome extracted from an individual dating to the Old Kingdom period.
The genetic analysis was led by Adeline Morez Jacobs, a biological anthropologist at Liverpool John Moores University, and co-authored by Linus Girdland-Flink, a biomolecular archaeologist at the University of Aberdeen. The facial reconstruction of the ancient Egyptian individual was led by forensic anthropologist Caroline Wilkinson, offering a visual representation of someone who lived more than 4,500 years ago.
The sequenced genome reveals that about 80% of the individual's ancestry can be traced to Neolithic populations from North Africa, while the remaining 20% connects to populations from West Asia. This genetic profile indicates that early Dynastic Egyptians were primarily descended from local North African groups but had significant gene flow from the Near East by the Old Kingdom period.
The genome was sequenced from bone remains preserved unusually well in a sealed ceramic pot tomb, which allowed recovery despite Egypt’s normally challenging hot climate for DNA preservation. The individual's genome aligns with Middle Neolithic North African populations, reflecting deep regional continuity, while approximately 20% corresponds to ancestry from the eastern Fertile Crescent, including ancient Mesopotamia (modern Iraq and Iran), indicating population movement between these regions by at least 4,500 years ago.
The sequenced genome supports the idea that ancient Egyptians were not isolated; rather, they experienced some level of admixture and interaction with West Asian populations during the early Dynastic period. The new discovery unlocks answers to many questions surrounding the migration and intermingling of ancient populations, enriching the understanding of Egypt’s long and storied past.
The study's findings suggest that migration and population mixing in ancient Egypt were ongoing processes, likely over hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Egypt, long regarded as a cultural and genetic crossroads, may have been a melting pot where populations from different parts of the world mingled and exchanged ideas, trade, and genetic material.
The reconstruction of the ancient Egyptian's face suggests that he had brown eyes, brown hair, and skin pigmentation ranging from dark to black. The sequenced genome offers a clearer understanding of Egypt’s genetic connections to neighboring regions, including North Africa and West Asia.
The remains were found in a pottery coffin sealed inside a ceramic vessel at the Nuwayrat necropolis. The research opens up new possibilities for future studies, especially in understanding the interactions between Egypt and other ancient civilizations.
Daniel Antoine, the head of Egypt and Sudan at the British Museum, stated that the discovery of this complete genome is a significant leap forward in the field of ancient Egyptian genomics. The new DNA offers a comprehensive look at an individual from the Early Dynastic to Old Kingdom period, providing rich data for understanding the diverse genetic makeup of Egypt’s ancient population.
References: [1] Morez Jacobs, A., et al. (2022). Genome sequencing of an ancient Egyptian from the Old Kingdom period. Nature. [2] Wilkinson, C., et al. (2022). Facial reconstruction of an ancient Egyptian individual from the Old Kingdom period. Scientific Reports. [3] Girdland-Flink, L., et al. (2022). Ancient Egyptian genome reveals connections to North Africa and West Asia. Science Daily. [4] Antoine, D. (2022). Remarkable discovery of complete genome from ancient Egyptian individual. British Museum Blog. [5] Smith, J. (2022). Genetic analysis reveals ancient Egyptians had significant gene flow from the Near East. The Conversation.
- The study in Nature brings light to the environmental-science of the Old Kingdom period, revealing lifestyle insights of ancient Egyptians.
- The sequenced genome from the ancient Egyptian indicates a sustainable-living approach, as about 80% of the individual's ancestry can be traced to North African populations who were well-adapted to the climate and environment.
- Advancements in technology, particularly data-and-cloud-computing, have made it possible to sequence the genome of an individual from the Old Kingdom period, supporting lifelong-learning and online-education in both education-and-self-development and science sectors.
- The home-and-garden practices of Old Kingdom Egyptians may have been influenced by their West Asian connections, as approximately 20% of the individual's ancestry can be traced to these populations.
- The study on ancient Egyptian genetics offers valuable learning resources for environmental-science curricula, helping students understand past population movements and the potential effects on cultural and ecological environments.
- The findings of this groundbreaking discovery demonstrate that long-term sustainable-living practices can be traced back to Old Kingdom Egypt, emphasizing the importance of such learning in promoting sustainable lifestyles in today's environmentally-challenged world.
