9,000-Year-Old DNA Just Turned Human History on Its Head

The Knowing solves a mystery while turning Canadian history on its head

It’s a “special honour,” says award-winning journalist and author Tanya Talaga. Her newest non-fiction book The Knowing is being taught in Grade 11 at the Toronto District School Board, one of the largest school districts in Canada.

9,000-Year-Old DNA Just Turned Human History on Its Head

New DNA evidence from nine prehistoric skeletons in South Africa challenges long-held beliefs about how early human populations moved and evolved in the region. The remains, discovered at the Oakhurst rockshelter near George on the southern coast, date back as far as 9,000 years and suggest a continuous genetic lineage with minimal outside influence until around 1,300 years ago. Ancient Genomes Reveal Deep-rooted Continuity A research, led by Dr…