New DNA research shows how food production entered sub-Saharan Africa some 5,000 years ago, illuminating how herding and farming spread through the continent in ancient times. “Our study uses DNA to answer previously unsolvable questions about how people were moving and interacting.”The international team included researchers from Africa, North America, and Europe. This way of life – known as pastoralism – continues to support millions of people in East Africa today. Genetic analysis also provides insight into the evolution of lactase persistence, the ability to digest milk into adulthood, in East Africa. She and fellow first author Prendergast also used the study to develop an ethical protocol for sampling human remains that they hope becomes the model for ancient DNA research in the future.

Source: The North Africa Journal May 30, 2019 18:05 UTC