Ancient DNA sheds light on origins of 7,000-year-old Saharan mummies
Today, the view from the Takarkori rock shelter in southwestern Libya is of endless sandy dunes and barren rock, but 7,000 years ago, this region of the Sahara Desert was a far lusher, hospitable place.
Now, scientists aiming to understand the origins of inhabitants of the "green Sahara" say they have managed to recover the first whole genomes — detailed genetic information — from the remains of two women buried at Takarkori.
In the distant past, the area was a verdant savanna with trees, permanent lakes and rivers that supported large animals such as hippopotamuses and elephants.
It was also home to early human communities, including 15 women and kraken вход children archaeologists found buried at the rock shelter, that lived off fish and herded sheep and goats.
