40,000 years ago, Neanderthals still shared the Earth with our ancestors. Recent discoveries are challenging our linear view of human evolution.
Advances in genetics reveal that our evolutionary history resembles a network more than a simple family tree. Crossbreeding between different hominid species has enriched our genetic heritage, contributing to our adaptability.
Illustration image Pixabay
Researchers have identified genes inherited from Neanderthals and Denisovans that still influence our health today. These genetic exchanges allowed our ancestors to adapt to varied environments, from the Tibetan highlands to European forests.
The technique of paleoproteomics is opening new perspectives for understanding our African past. By analyzing ancient proteins, scientists hope to unravel the mysteries of early hominids and their interactions.
'Ghost populations' - groups now extinct but whose DNA survives within us - testify to our genetic heritage. These discoveries challenge the idea of a single origin for humanity.
Africa, the cradle of humanity, remains a land of mysteries due to the degradation of ancient DNA in its hot climate. Yet it's here that the keys to understanding our origins and the genetic diversity that defines us can be found.
What is adaptive introgression?
Adaptive introgression refers to the transfer of beneficial genes from one species to another through hybridization. This phenomenon played a key role in human evolution, allowing our ancestors to acquire advantageous traits.
For example, modern Tibetans inherited a genetic variant from Denisovans that facilitates life at high altitude. Similarly, some Neanderthal genes helped humans adapt to less sunny climates.
This process shows how encounters between different hominid species enriched our genetic heritage. It also demonstrates the importance of genetic diversity for our species' survival and adaptability.
How is paleoproteomics revolutionizing evolutionary studies?
Paleoproteomics is an innovative technique that analyzes ancient proteins to obtain genetic information about extinct species. Unlike DNA, proteins can survive longer in hot conditions.
This method has already determined the sex of a 3.5-million-year-old Australopithecus africanus individual. It also provides clues about genetic diversity among early hominids.
Although limited by the number and condition of available ancient proteins, paleoproteomics opens new pathways for exploring our evolutionary past. It could particularly illuminate relationships between different hominid species and their contribution to our genome.