Burials from a cave in Morocco have yielded the oldest human DNA evidence yet from Africa, offering new insight into Stone Age migrations. During recent excavations led by the University of Oxford at the Grotte des Pigeons, archaeologists saved the inner-ear petrous bones, a good source for ancient DNA. Ancient DNA studies have exploded in Europe over the past couple of decades, covering a record of human history stretching back 40,000 years. Many of the labs where scientists study ancient DNA are located in Europe, and researchers have access to a wealth of well-preserved remains. Last year, scientists reported findings on ancient DNA from as early as 8,100 years ago, from human remains from southern and East Africa.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 27, 2018 12:45 UTC