Written by Nina da Silva
Archaeological research at the Oakhurst rock shelter, the site nestled in a sandstone cliff along South Africa’s southern coast, has provided new insights into our early human populations. Since its original excavation in the 1930s, the Oakhurst rock shelter has become a substantial site providing evidence of human occupation spanning over 12 000 years, including rock art, stone tools, ceramics, and rare skeletal remains.
A recent Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) study conducted on skeletal samples has offered an extraordinary look into the lives and genetic makeup of early humans in southern Africa.
Oakhurst Rock Art. Image by V. Gibbon.
A Look into the Past Through DNA
In 2017, Professor Vanessa Hayes and her team from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research began their analysis of the skeletal remains at Oakhurst. Ultimately restructuring the genomes of 13 ancient individuals using advanced archaeogenetic methods. This process granted researchers the ability to capture each individual's genetic "fingerprint" and analyse the patterns of their genetic continuity. The findings reveal that the people inhabiting Oakhurst displayed notable genetic stability over thousands of years, from about 10 000 years ago to around 1 300 years ago.
Unique Population Stability in Southern Africa
Around 1 300 years ago, this genetic stability came to an end. Whereas in other regions like Europe and Asia, the waves of migrations over the last millennia presented new populations, thus generating complex genetic histories. When compared, the inhabitants of Oakhurst have maintained a genetically consistent lineage that is closely related to modern-day San and Khoekhoe communities. Hence, this stability indicates that the population history of southern Africa varies greatly from that of other continents, where new groups often replaced or interacted with previous populations.
Through the DNA evidence, continuity in culture and technology seen in the archaeological record is further supported. The innovations in stone tools and evidence of herding and farming practices around 2 000 years ago show that while the genetic lineage remained stable, the culture evolved, which was likely influenced by interaction with newcomers.
Significance of the Findings
This study is a landmark for African archaeogenetics. It emphasizes the unique genetic and cultural landscape within southern Africa. Although challenges in DNA preservation have occurred due to the region’s warmer climate, the study’s success leads the way for future genetic research into this diverse and historically rich area. Furthermore, it reflects the importance of one of humanity’s oldest and continuous populations.
For further reading, visit the South African Archaeological Society
ps://www.archaeology.org.za/) and explore related studies on human ancestry in southern Africa.
References
Hayes, V. M., et al. (2024). Genomic insights into ancient southern African populations. Nature Communications.
South African Archaeological Society. (2024). Exploring Southern Africa's Genetic Past.
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