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Humans

Genomes of modern Indian people include wide range of Neanderthal DNA

A genetic study of nearly 2700 individuals has revealed the ancestry of Indian people, and gets scientists closer to reconstructing the genomes of ancient Neanderthals

By James Woodford

6 March 2024

People in India have a wide range of Neanderthal DNA in their genomes

Debajyoti Chakraborty/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The largest ever genome study of South Asian people has discovered a wide range of Neanderthal DNA sequences in modern Indian people. The findings raise the possibility of building a full Neanderthal genome from living humans, instead of relying on DNA from ancient remains.

All modern humans except African people retain an average of around 1 to 2 per cent of their genetic ancestry from archaic hominins, including Neanderthals and Denisovans. African people also get about 0.5…

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