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Researchers Decrypt Genomes of Women Buried in the Sahara and Reveal That the Desert Was Once a Green Savanna Habited by Herders and Full of Lakes and Wild Animals.
Researchers discovered that the Sahara Desert, now one of the most arid and inhospitable regions on the planet, was once home to organized human communities around 7,000 years ago. The conclusion came after the complete sequencing of ancient DNA in the Sahara, extracted from two female skeletons found at the archaeological site of Takarkori, in southwestern Libya.
The region, now covered in sand and stones under a scorching sun, was in the past a vast green area, with lakes, rivers, and abundant wildlife—an ideal setting for human survival. The genetic studies, considered pioneering, reveal surprising details about life in the so-called Green Sahara, challenging what was previously known about human occupations in desert areas.
Ancient DNA in the Sahara Reveals Isolated Lineage
The analysis of the complete genomes of the two individuals showed that they belonged to a genetically isolated population, with no ties to contemporary groups in Sub-Saharan Africa. This separation suggests that the Sahara Desert, even in its green phase, was not a common route for migration or contact between peoples.
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The two women whose remains were analyzed lived in a seemingly small and stable society, with little external genetic contact. The ancient DNA in the Sahara represents the first time that scientists have been able to recover and sequence complete human DNA from such a hot and dry region as the Sahara, an achievement that took more than two decades since the initial excavation.
Life in the Green Sahara: Herders and Fishermen
Archaeological and genetic data suggest that the communities of Takarkori during the relevant period had habits that combined herding and fishing. Evidence at the site reveals the consumption of fish and the raising of goats and sheep, suggesting a partially nomadic lifestyle.
In addition to the two analyzed skeletons, researchers located at least 15 bodies, including women and children, buried in the region. The presence of so many individuals reinforces the hypothesis of a continuous and structured occupation, with established social organization and cultural practices.
Vegetation and Favorable Climate Sustained Large Animals
Seven millennia ago, the climate in the Sahara was radically different from what is seen today. Geological records indicate the presence of permanent lakes, large rivers, and savanna vegetation, a setting capable of supporting animals such as hippopotamuses and elephants. These elements created an ideal ecosystem for the establishment of human communities, attracted by the abundance of natural resources.
This favorable environment began to change around 5,000 years ago, when intense climate changes initiated the process of desertification in the region. The advance of the desert further isolated the peoples who lived there, contributing to the preservation of the genetic identity found in the discovered remains.
Study with Discovery of Ancient DNA in the Sahara Published in International Scientific Journal
The research, coordinated by scientists from Sapienza University of Rome, was published in the prestigious journal Nature. The authors emphasize that obtaining the prehistoric genome under such adverse conditions is a rare achievement in archaeogenetics, especially due to the accelerated deterioration of biological materials in arid environments.
The analyzed skeletons were discovered back in 2003, but only now, 22 years later, has technology allowed for complete genetic sequencing, thanks to the good preservation state of the tissues, skin, and ligaments. The study opens new possibilities for understanding the genetic past of Africa and human routes prior to the desertification of the Sahara.
Cultural Exchange Without Genetic Mixing
Even without genetic traces of contact with other peoples, the inhabitants of Takarkori seem to have adopted common practices found in other regions of Africa, such as herding. This suggests that there was cultural exchange, albeit without significant genetic intermixing.
The adoption of practices like animal domestication may have occurred through observation, knowledge exchange in sporadic meetings, or migration of small groups. The combination of these factors helped shape a society with unique characteristics, adapted to the environment, and with a strong cultural autonomy.
A New Perspective on Human History in the Desert
The revelation that the Sahara was once inhabited by organized and technologically advanced human communities for their time challenges conventional ideas about desert occupations. Previously seen merely as a natural barrier to human dispersal, the Sahara Desert now presents itself as a lively and dynamic region in the history of the African continent.
The discovery also expands knowledge regarding prehistoric human migrations and adaptations to the environment. The study reinforces the idea that the history of the Sahara is not just made of sand and heat, but also of people, cultures, and green landscapes that marked humanity’s journey.
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