A stunning discovery in Colombia is changing what we know about ancient human history. Archaeologists have uncovered 6,000-year-old human skeletons in the Bogotá Altiplano region, and what they found left scientists around the world speechless.
These ancient remains were studied in detail, and the results were published in the global science journal Science Advances on May 30. Researchers analyzed the DNA of 21 individuals and found something completely unexpected – their genetic material does not match any modern or previously known human population.
That means these ancient humans do not appear to be part of our current family tree. They were not the ancestors of people living today, nor did they belong to any known ancient human group. In fact, the DNA is so unique that scientists now believe this group may represent an entirely lost human lineage.
Andrea Casas Vargas, a member of the research team, said, “We were surprised to find DNA that does not match any population. This is the first full-scale study of ancient DNA in Colombia, and it’s added a brand-new layer to how we understand the peopling of the Americas.”
Why is this such a big deal?
Colombia sits in a key spot for early human migration into South America. If people entered the continent thousands of years ago, they likely passed through this region. Discovering a totally separate group of people in this area means there’s a whole missing chapter in the story of human history.
This one-of-a-kind discovery opens the door to many new questions. Where did this mysterious group come from? Why did they vanish? Could climate change or natural disasters have caused their extinction?
The research team now plans to search other parts of Colombia to look for more remains. They want to learn how widespread this ancient group was and whether there may be any hidden descendants alive today.
Harvard University’s Professor Christina Warinner shared her thoughts, saying, “Colombia has long been a quiet corner in ancient DNA studies. But this research is opening a brand-new chapter. It shows how Central America played a vital role in shaping the civilizations of both North and South America.”
This discovery reminds us how much there still is to learn about our past. Sometimes, the land we live on holds secrets that can rewrite the story of human history.
