Ancient DNA Study Reveals Key Role of Southern African Hunter-Gatherers in Human Evolution
A major new study of ancient Southern African hunter-gatherer DNA is reshaping our understanding of the Khoe and San peoples’ origins. Researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden and the University of Johannesburg analyzed genomes from 28 individuals who lived between 1,200 years and a few hundred years ago.
“These genomes provide an unadmixed view of early Southern African population history,” said co-author Carina Schlebush. The study identified 490 genetic variants unique to modern humans, including adaptations related to the immune system, kidney function, and brain development, suggesting these hunter-gatherers had enhanced endurance and cognitive abilities.
Three genetic variants were unique to Southern African hunter-gatherers, linked to UV protection, skin pigmentation, and disease resistance—adaptations suited to the region’s open, sun-exposed landscapes. Notably, 40% of the human-specific variants also related to neuronal and cognitive traits, shedding light on the origins of complex thinking and technological behaviors such as bow hunting and making compound adhesives.
The findings indicate that the Southern African hunter-gatherers formed a relatively stable population south of the Limpopo River for tens of thousands of years. Some groups migrated north between 100,000 and 70,000 years ago, spreading both their genes and behaviors.
“This suggests that Southern Africa was a key hub in human evolution, with local populations developing advanced technologies and cognitive traits,” said Marlize Lombard, cognitive archaeologist at the University of Johannesburg.
The ancient hunter-gatherers remained largely isolated until less than 1,400 years ago, when West African farmers and East African pastoralists began mixing with Southern African populations. Today, genetic markers from these ancient people persist among the Ju/’hoan of Botswana and Namibia, the Karretjie Mense of South Africa, and to a lesser extent in some coloured and Afrikaans-speaking South African populations.
