DNA from nine prehistoric skeletons, dated as far back as about 9,000 years ago, shows that early inhabitants near the southern Cape Province of South Africa experienced minimal population changes over many millennia.
The site, known as Oakhurst rockshelter, is located about 4 miles (6.4 km) from the coast near the city of George and contained numerous stone-age tools that archaeologists recognize as indicators of shifting cultural practices.
Researchers extracted and analyzed the ancient DNA of individuals from different layers of the site to piece together their genetic profiles.
According to lead investigator Dr. Joscha Gretzinger from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, these people displayed a shared genetic heritage that stayed relatively stable until around 1,300 years ago.
Source: www.earth.com
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