A 2024 study of nearly 2,700 people in India found that modern Indians have a large amount of Neanderthal DNA in their genomes, more than any other group in the world:
Neanderthal genomeThe study found around 50% of the Neanderthal genome in Indians, which is about 90% of all known Neanderthal genes that have entered human populations. This is more than double the amount found in a similar study of Icelanders. The study also found that nearly 12% of the Neanderthal sequences in India are unique and have not been found in other regions.
Denisovan genomeThe study also found around 20% of the Denisovan genome in Indians, which are close relatives of Neanderthals and modern humans. Indians also have the greatest variation in Denisovan genes among Eurasian populations.NCBI50000 years of Evolutionary History of India: Insights from - NCBIFeb 17, 2024 — By assembling the surviving fragments of archaic ancestry in modern Indians, w...ScienceWhere did India's people come from? Massive genetic study ...Mar 4, 2024 — In addition, the scientists found that the modern individuals sampled derive 1%Smithsonian MagazineModern Indian People Have a Wide Range of Neanderthal ...Mar 13, 2024 — Denisovans were close relatives of both Neanderthals and modern humans that in...New ScientistGenomes of modern Indian people include wide range of Neanderthal DNA | New ScientistMar 6, 2024
Down To Earth'Indians have largest variety of Neanderthal, Denisovan genes'Apr 15, 2024 — Notably, 90 per cent of Neanderthal sequences found across the world are seen ...
The study also found that most of the genetic variation in Indians comes from a single major migration out of Africa that occurred around 50,000 years ago. The researchers collected genomes from people in 23 states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Haryana.Generative AI is experimental.
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Notably, 90 per cent of Neanderthal sequences found across the world are seen in India. Indians also harbour the largest variation (positioning of genes in the genome) in Denisovan genes among Eurasian populations. This makes Indians quite unique and complex.
