“Ancient DNA Reveals Shocking Truths About Our Prehistoric Ancestors—What Secrets Are Hidden in Our Genes?”
In the grand tapestry of human history, there’s a thread that weaves through time—DNA, the elusive blueprint of life. Back in the 1860s, Swiss chemist Friedrich Miescher stumbled upon this genetic marvel, unknowingly setting the stage for an epic saga of discovery. Fast forward to 2018, where archaeologists embarked on a journey that would unveil ancient secrets hidden beneath the Alaskan soil, including the remarkable discovery of two infant skeletons dating back 11,500 years! Could these tiny remains tell us about the very first humans to set foot in North America? Let’s dive into this astonishing tale of family, survival, and the quest to understand our roots. LEARN MOREIn the 1860s, Swiss chemist Friedrich Miescher discovered human DNA. This revelation helped scientists unlock secrets about our ancient ancestors. Even in 2018, researchers were making new discoveries. This particular excavation revealed several ancient secrets, including a previously unknown group of ancient humans. Read all about their discoveries here.
Two 11,500-Year-Old Skeletons
In 2018, archaeologists unearthed the skeletons of two Native American infants. Both were 11,500 years old and part of the same family.
These were not normal skeletons. They were well-preserved enough to inform scientists about early humans. In fact, they provide information about the first humans to ever visit North America.
Researchers Traveled To A Remote Area In Alaska
In the early 2000s, anthropology professor Ben Potter began working in Upward Sun River, Alaska. This forested area is 50 miles from Fairbanks and can only be reached by helicopter.
Despite the difficult terrain, Potter had good reason for excavating there. That part of Alaska was originally connected to Europe and Africa.
What Is Beringia?
When Pangea began breaking up, some strips of land still connected the continents. The earliest known humans were born in Africa, but they migrated across the world.
Beringia was the bridge that connected Siberia and Alaska. Many archaeologists believe that the first North American humans came from that bridge, over 34,000 years ago. However, this was just a theory.
The Beringian Standstill Hypothesis
Although many historians believe that early humans crossed Beringia, they do not know who did so. One theory, called the Beringian standstill hypothesis, attempts to answer this.
The hypothesis says that the “Ancient Beringians” lived on Beringia in isolation due to the ice and harsh climate. If this is true, the Beringians might be the sole ancestors of all Native Americans, according to archaeologist Jennifer Raff.
In Fact, Natives Still Live Near Upward Sun River
The name “Upward Sun River” is a translation from the Athabascan Xaasaa Na’, the language of the Native Americans who still live in Alaska. It is also part of their territory.
Potter collaborated with the Natives for his excavations. Usually, they are very protective of their burial grounds; however, they understood the importance of Potter’s work and offered to help him.
The First Discovery: A Three-Year-Old Child
In 2010, Potter and other researchers from the University of Alaska searched Upward Sun River. They discovered the cremated remains of a three-year-old child.
At 11,500 years old, this discovery was exceptionally rare. Unfortunately, the skeleton was not preserved enough to extract DNA from. Scientists could not even figure out the gender.
Despite The Letdown, Potter Didn’t Give Up
Despite their limited success, Potter and his team did not give up. They continued to excavate in that area for eight more years.
Then, Potter and his colleagues, José Víctor Moreno Mayar and Lasse Vinner, found their big break. They unearthed a burial site in an area of Alaska that was around 15,000 years old.
Finally, They Found The Skeletons Of Two Infants
There, Potter and his team discovered two infant skeletons. One seemed to be a stillborn; the other was between six and 12 weeks old.
Like the three-year-old, the two seemed to have been cremated, as their remains rested on a fire pit. However, these remains were much more preserved and easier to identify.
