Archaeologists have uncovered a compelling chapter in human history deep in the heart of the Sahara. According to Reuters, two 7,000-year-old skeletons found at Libya’s Takarkori rock shelter have yielded the first ancient human genomes from the region.
“Our study shows these people belonged to a lineage unlike any seen before,” notes Dr. Johannes Krause, lead geneticist at the Max Planck Institute.
Ancient Sahara: Oasis to Desert
Today’s Sahara Desert, spanning 11 African nations, masks a vibrant past as a green savanna between 14,500 and 5,000 years ago.
According to Smithsonian Magazine, lakes and rivers once dotted the landscape, supporting both wildlife and ancient people.
“This lush corridor made migration and settlement possible,” says Dr. Mary Prendergast, Rice University anthropologist.
Tracking Civilization’s Footprints
Green Sahara cultures flourished for millennia, leaving behind pottery, tools, and intricate burial sites. The Takarkori community—where the ancient skeletons were unearthed—hunted, fished, and herded animals along ancient watercourses. “Material remains signal a high level of adaptability,” states Dr. Savino di Lernia, excavation co-lead.
The Rush for Genetic Evidence
As climate change threatens site preservation, scientists are racing to recover fragile DNA before it degrades. According to Dr. Nada Salem, Max Planck Institute, “We had to work quickly—the sands and heat are unforgiving, but the potential for discovery is immense.” New technology is finally unlocking Saharan secrets.
A Hidden Human Lineage
In a groundbreaking 2025 Nature study, researchers sequenced DNA from two naturally mummified women, finding evidence of a long-isolated North African lineage.
“We identified ancestors diverging from sub-Saharan groups about 50,000 years ago,” Dr. Johannes Krause told Reuters. The results are reshaping the human family tree.
Life Amid Lakes
During the African Humid Period, Takarkori was a lakeshore, rich with biodiversity. Fifteen community members—mainly women and children—were buried there, their bodies and society preserved by unique environmental conditions. “Their way of life was built around fishing and animal herding,” explains Dr. Savino di Lernia.
Voices from the Deep Past
“These genomes are almost like living fossils,” Dr. Krause said to BBC Science Focus. Decoding their DNA revealed no significant gene flow from sub-Saharan or Eurasian populations, implying long-term isolation.
Dr. Eugenia D’Atanasio, not involved in the research, called the finding “surprising for our expectations of Sahara as a corridor.”
Cultural Innovations, Genetic Divide
Despite similarities in pottery and animal herding, Takarkori’s people did not intermix genetically with neighboring societies.
Instead, ideas seem to have spread without large movements of people. “This supports the notion of cultural exchange without genetic mixing,” says Dr. Nada Salem.
A Uniquely Isolated People
The study found only faint traces of Neanderthal ancestry in Takarkori individuals—ten times less than that of non-Africans today.
This hints at early Homo sapiens isolation and suggests the Sahara’s population dynamics were more complex than previously thought. “They lived independently from main migration streams,” adds Dr. Harald Ringbauer, study coauthor.
The Green Sahara Communities
The “Green Sahara” communities diverged from sub-Saharan Africans around 50,000 years ago, maintaining distinct genetic continuity for thousands of years.
The human lineage identified in the Sahara does not exist today in pure form but remains in parts of modern North African DNA, said the Max Planck team.
Arduous Field Conditions
Extracting DNA from mummies in searing desert heat posed immense challenges for scientists. “We brushed away sand and uncovered the jawbone—preserved skin and tissue were rare finds,” recalled Dr. di Lernia to CNN. The breakthrough owed as much to luck as determination.
The Consortium Grows
Saharan DNA research now relies on large, international teams. The Max Planck Institute collaborated with Italy’s University of Sapienza and Libyan experts to ensure discoveries respect both science and local heritage. “Such studies are only possible with multinational cooperation,” said Dr. di Lernia.
Next Steps in Exploration
Researchers are scanning other prehistoric Sahara sites, seeking additional ancient genomes to broaden the picture. High-tech tools—CT scans, isotope tests, and improved extraction—could reveal diets, migrations, and further surprises. “Future work will expand our understanding of these vanished communities,” says Dr. Nada Salem.
Cautious Optimism
Experts warn not to overgeneralize from just two genomes. “We need more samples to draw broader conclusions,” says Dr. Mary Prendergast.
Still, the find marks a breakthrough in reconstructing Africa’s population history and demonstrates the growing value of ancient DNA research.
What Awaits in the Sands?
Unresolved mysteries abound beneath the Sahara: undiscovered populations, migration routes, and even lost languages.
Researchers are eager to return, spurred by new discoveries and better funding. “Africa’s story is still being written, site by site,” says Dr. Ringbauer.
Political Dimensions
Findings could affect national heritage claims and cross-border science. “Ancient DNA studies strengthen Africa’s case for recognition of its deep history,” states Dr. Eugenia D’Atanasio. Governments are responding by investing more in preservation, tourism, and research alliances.
The World Takes Notice
International attention has grown, with joint training programs and shared equipment between African, European, and American universities.
“Collaboration has never been greater—it’s a global research effort now,” experts report in Max Planck Society updates. The world is watching, and learning.
Lessons on Climate Resilience
The Green Sahara’s shifting climate shaped not only animal and plant life but also early human society. Lessons from the past could inform how communities adapt to environmental change today. “Adaptation was crucial for survival then, just as it is now,” says Dr. di Lernia.
Preserving Heritage
Local communities want more say in how discoveries are shared and displayed. Cultural pride grows alongside scientific advances, but so do debates about who “owns” ancient history. “Heritage belongs both to the world and to local descendants,” says Dr. Prendergast.
Humanity’s Shared Story
These Green Sahara skeletons remind us that humanity’s roots are diverse and complex. Discoveries like this challenge outdated ideas while uniting us in curiosity.
“Research is just beginning to reveal Africa’s complex population history,” concludes Dr. Prendergast. The journey of discovery continues.