'The DNA that should not exist': 6,000-yr-old remains has no connection to anyone on Earth

Produced by: Manoj Kumar

Vanished Lineage

[{"selector":"#anim-827dec45-2ddc-41fe-adf8-51f997fd2703 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-19.81249981682341%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] 6,000-year-old skeletons from Colombia carry DNA that links to no known ancient or modern group. Credit : Ana Maria Groot/ Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Genetic Ghosts

[{"selector":"#anim-b1e77b79-0980-4bb5-b1ec-b5d50c83183e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(24.98914617724745%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] These early people simply disappear from the record—no direct descendants, no modern echo. Credit : Ana Maria Groot/ Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Lost Legacy

[{"selector":"#anim-e6d9aef4-9746-4d74-b52d-e680bb1225aa [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-29.01965713075661%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Despite settling and farming the Bogotá plateau for 4,000 years, their genetic trail abruptly ends.

Panama Connection

[{"selector":"#anim-af35a73c-469e-422d-8666-ded81498f77b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(32.51598100654035%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Strangely, their closest genetic match isn’t local—but to modern Chibchan speakers in Panama .

Diluted Identity

[{"selector":"#anim-07dc4248-abff-44ca-a2fd-aeda5333cbcd [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] One theory: intermixing blurred their DNA beyond recognition, leaving no traceable signature.

Mystery Migration

[{"selector":"#anim-5574f643-b496-4f14-a5b1-3dbe89bcfc8c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-19.81249981682341%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Researchers suggest the Isthmo-Colombian region may hold missing chapters in America’s human journey.

Lineage Puzzle

[{"selector":"#anim-28175c63-6ae0-4401-b411-acaef2360d20 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-17.014386782804436%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Unlike the well-tracked Anzick-1 or Channel Islands populations, these Colombians defy easy classification.

Language Link

[{"selector":"#anim-88e223ec-2e9a-4902-be6f-88ed902ef758 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-3.7107964884042097%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Proto-Chibchan language roots may hold clues—but the genetics don’t yet match the linguistic spread. Representative pic

Hidden Histories

[{"selector":"#anim-44ae2a1d-adef-4fb6-a73c-b703bc1618ef [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(8.46469366455148%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] With western Colombia and Venezuela still untested, deeper ancient DNA may unlock what we’ve missed.

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