Ancient DNA reveals how farming spread into northwest Africa

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Genomic perspectives on human dispersals during the Holocene

Mark Stoneking et al.

Summary: Nearly 20 years ago, Jared Diamond and Peter Bellwood examined the evidence of the spread of farming and large language families through the demographic expansions of farmers. Advances in genomic data analysis have revolutionized our understanding of human dispersals during the Holocene. This article provides an overview of Holocene dispersals based on genomic evidence and concludes that they have a complex history. Further research is needed to investigate the factors and social circumstances that have influenced the variation and complexity of these dispersals.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (2023)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Northwest African Neolithic initiated by migrants from Iberia and Levant

Luciana G. G. Simoes et al.

Summary: The transition from foraging to food production in northwestern Africa around 7,400 years ago is still not well understood. Some believe that European Neolithic farmers introduced this new way of life, while others argue that local hunter-gatherers adopted technological innovations. Through genetic analysis, we found evidence of both continuity and isolation in the Maghreb region over 8,000 years, but the earliest Neolithic remains showed European ancestry. We suggest that farming was introduced by European migrants and later adopted by local groups, leading to a more complex process of Neolithization than previously thought in this region.

NATURE (2023)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences