In a groundbreaking discovery, South African and German researchers have reconstructed the oldest human genomes ever found in South Africa. These genomes belonged to two individuals who lived roughly 10,000 years ago, providing invaluable insights into how the region was populated.

Prior to these finds, the oldest genomes from the region were only about 2,000 years old. This research sheds new light on the genetic history of the area, revealing some surprising connections.

One of the fascinating outcomes of the Oakhurst study is that the oldest genomes bear a close genetic similarity to present-day San and Khoekhoe groups who are living in the same region.

“Similar studies from Europe have revealed a history of large-scale genetic changes due to human movements over the last 10,000 years. These new results from southernmost Africa are quite different and suggest a long history of relative genetic stability,” Joscha Gretzinger, lead author of the study, said.