Ancient DNA reveals a rapid wave of human evolution in the last 10,000 years
A Harvard-led study analyzing about 16,000 ancient human genomes (10,000 newly sequenced) finds hundreds of rapid genetic adaptations arising in the last 10,000 years—far more than previously known—many linked to disease risk, body fat, cognitive performance and other traits, with several involving lactose tolerance and red hair. The research suggests a surge in directional selection after the spread of agriculture in West Eurasia, estimating around 500 such adaptive changes in this period. While some variants clearly increased fitness, others may have hitchhiked with beneficial traits. Overall, the findings indicate human evolution is accelerating and can be traced directly through ancient DNA.
- Red hair and thinning hair: Study of ancient DNA shows human evolution has accelerated over the past 10,000 years National Post
- Massive Ancient-DNA Study Reveals Natural Selection Has Accelerated in Recent Human Evolution Harvard Medical School
- Red hair gene favoured by natural selection over last 10,000 years, study finds | Evolution The Guardian
- Nature Is Still Molding Human Genes, Study Finds The New York Times
- From red hair to lower body fat, human evolution has accelerated: study CTV News
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