Two 7,000-year-old mummies belong to a previously unknown human lineage that remained isolated in North Africa for thousands of years, a new study finds.

Recent research has uncovered extraordinary insights into the genetic heritage of two mummies recovered from the Takarkori rock shelter in southwestern Libya. Approximately 7,000 years old, these remains are linked to a previously unknown lineage that thrived during the African Humid Period, a time when the Sahara desert, now arid, was lush and populated with various water bodies that supported human life. According to the study published in *Nature*, genetic analysis reveals that this lineage diverged from sub-Saharan African populations approximately 50,000 years ago and largely remained isolated. This isolation suggests there was minimal genetic exchange with neighboring populations, although cultural interactions likely persisted, as indicated by trade and shared material culture such as pottery. The researchers also noted that the Takarkori individuals exhibited very low levels of Neanderthal ancestry—ten times less than that found in people outside of Africa today—highlighting their unique evolutionary path. This study is significant as it not only challenges previous assumptions about human migration patterns in North Africa but also offers a clearer understanding of how pastoralism—a vital cultural adaptation—developed in the region. The genetic markers found in these mummies point to a stable human population that adapted within its environment and underscores the complex interplay between genetics and cultural evolution in ancient human societies. By exploring the genetic ancestry of North African populations, the study lays a foundation for future investigations into human migrations and cultural evolution across this vast and historically rich region.