ROAM
A Regional Outlook on Ancient Migration
The Full Story
The Science of Ancient DNA
Ancient DNA is genetic material extracted from the remains of long-deceased organisms, such as bones, teeth, or preserved tissues. It allows scientists to study the genetics of past populations, offering insights into their ancestry, traits, and evolutionary history.
It's in the genes
Ancient DNA refers to genetic material extracted from long-deceased organisms, including archaeological artifacts, fossilized remains, and preserved pathogens. This area of research has progressed rapidly thanks to breakthroughs in DNA sequencing technologies, which make it possible to study even highly degraded or very ancient samples. Remarkably, scientists have decoded the genomes of Neanderthals and other early human species, offering valuable insights into human ancestry and interspecies relationships.
Research in ancient DNA deepens our understanding of genetic variation and population structures, the effects of climate change on ecosystems, and the historical development of diseases. By examining ancient genetic material at a species level, for instance Homo sapiens, scientists can explore the past demographic events, such as migration and admixture. The biological structure of the groups can also shed some light on the social mechanisms that created such signatures. Studies of ancient microbial DNA have also illuminated the spread and impact of diseases in historical populations, enriching the field of historical epidemiology.
Population genetics during Mos'anne's time
During the Mesolithic period, ancient population genetics reveals that Western Europe was largely repopulated by a distinct group known as the Western Hunter-Gatherers (WHG). These populations emerged after the Last Glacial Maximum, as retreating ice sheets opened up habitable regions in temperate Europe. Genetic evidence from Mesolithic human remains shows that WHG individuals shared a relatively homogeneous genetic profile across vast areas of Europe, from Western Europe to the Baltic. Their ancestry played a foundational role in shaping the genetic landscape of later European populations, being one of the three ancestries still composing European genomes nowadays, together with posterior ancestries linked to Neolithic and Bronze Age migrations.
Eye, hair and skin colour
Ancient DNA analysis can provide valuable insights into the physical traits of past populations, including eye, hair, and skin pigmentation. By examining specific genetic markers associated with pigmentation, researchers can infer general color tones—such as light or dark skin, blue or brown eyes, and blond or dark hair. However, these reconstructions depend heavily on the quality of DNA preservation. Ancient samples are often degraded, and only well-preserved remains allow for reliable predictions. Even then, the results indicate probable pigmentation ranges built on modern diversity rather than exact shades, offering a scientifically grounded approximation rather than a precise portrait of ancient individuals.