A new chapter in human history has been unveiled through archaeological discoveries at the Donghulin site in Beijing, suggesting the existence of a previously unknown human lineage that inhabited Northeast Asia. Researchers, by analyzing ancient DNA from individuals who lived at the end of the last glacial period, identified this branch of humanity, as published in the journal Current Biology.
Among the individuals studied, a woman who lived about 11,000 years ago stands out, belonging to this lineage that diverged from other populations approximately 19,000 years ago. This society was not composed of newcomers adapting to changing climates, but rather established communities that managed to survive Earth’s harsh environmental conditions.
Another individual, a man who lived around 9,500 years ago, had a genetic profile more closely related to the Neolithic agricultural populations of northern China. At that time, migration and cultural exchange were already in full swing.
These findings suggest that Northeast Asia did not undergo a sudden population replacement, as occurred in parts of Europe. Instead, there was a prolonged transition in which older lineages coexisted with emerging groups, adopting new tools, diets, and agricultural practices.
The archaeological site presents a mix of features, such as pottery, durable dwellings, and early signs of millet cultivation, indicating that these lost lineages were not exclusively hunter-gatherers. This complicates the timeline somewhat, but also clarifies it by presenting a variety of humans making significant discoveries at different paces.
As reported by VICE, researchers emphasize that human progress rarely follows a linear trajectory, and different groups could achieve cultural and technological milestones at distinct rates.
Original published at O Cafezinho.