Ancient DNA Study Uncovers Genetic Connection Between Egypt and Mesopotamia
A new study published Wednesday in Nature has uncovered a genetic link between the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia.
Researchers analyzed the entire genome extracted from the teeth of an exceptionally well-preserved skeleton discovered in a sealed burial jar at an Egyptian tomb site, dating back approximately 4,500 to 4,900 years.
The genetic analysis revealed that about 80% of the individual’s ancestry traced back to North Africa and regions surrounding Egypt. However, the remaining 20% pointed to origins in the Fertile Crescent—an area between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers where Mesopotamian civilization once thrived.
