Scientists Uncover DNA Puzzle: 6,000-Year-Old Remains Reveal Mysterious Ancestors

Archaeologists working in Colombia’s Bogotá Altiplano recently uncovered ancient human remains that have left scientists puzzled. Genetic analysis of the 6,000-year-old skeletons revealed DNA with no direct connection to any known ancient or modern populations in South America, a finding that upends previous assumptions about regional ancestry.

The team, whose study was published in Science Advances, analyzed both mitochondrial and genome-wide data from 21 ancient individuals who lived in the region between 6,000 and 500 years ago. The results show a striking lack of continuity with known Indigenous populations in Colombia. Instead, the genetic evidence suggests a closer, though still tenuous, link to Chibchan-speaking groups from the Isthmus of Panama. However, this connection remains incomplete and raises more questions than answers.

Around 6,000 years ago, these hunter-gatherers transitioned to agriculture and settled in the Bogotá Altiplano. Then, they mysteriously vanished from the genetic record. Unlike the Anzick-1 child of the Clovis culture or ancient Channel Islands residents whose DNA traces through modern populations, these ancient Colombians stand alone, without clear descendants.

Why these people’s DNA doesn’t align with others is still uncertain. One theory suggests that as these groups migrated and mingled with others, their genetic markers diluted over time. Another possibility is that they represent a unique, now-extinct lineage.

“This area has long been a crossroads of culture and language, where ancient people from Central and South America converged,” the researchers noted. “Understanding their history may illuminate broader patterns of human migration across the continent.”

Further research in neighboring areas, like western Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador, is planned to fill the gaps. For now, these ancient Colombians remain a genetic mystery, hinting at forgotten migrations and lost connections that shaped the Americas.

Related: Experts Warn of AI’s Self-Preservation Tactics in New Tests

Scientists Uncover DNA Puzzle: 6,000-Year-Old Remains Reveal Mysterious Ancestors first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 3, 2025