In a fascinating discovery by German scientists, an image of Zlatý kůň woman has been created using extensive DNA analysis, revealing the face of one of the first modern populations to migrate to Europe from Africa. The depiction shows a woman with dark skin, dark eyes and dark hair, offering a striking glimpse into our ancestral lineage.
According to the research recently published in the journals Science and Nature, Zlatý kůň woman and a small group arrived in Europe around 45,000 years ago, distinguishing themselves from Neanderthals with whom they briefly mixed their genes. Yet unlike Neanderthals whose genes survived through the generations, this pioneering lineage appears to have disappeared without leaving any descendants.
Dr Kay Prüfer, a senior researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, explains that this population, descended from one of the earliest migrations out of Africa, represented an early excursion into Europe and an initial split from a common population that gave rise to all contemporary populations worldwide outside of Africa.
Zlatý kůň woman’s DNA, from a cave in the Czech Republic dating back to 1950, was identified as part of the same extended family as remains discovered in Germany more than two decades earlier. This genetic connection highlights the interconnectedness of early modern populations and their mixed heritage with Neanderthals.
Through the study of these ancient generations, it appears that the first Homo sapiens who migrated to Europe 45,000 years ago would have shared physical characteristics such as dark skin, dark eyes and black hair, reflecting their recent African origin. Unfortunately, despite these similarities, this early lineage seems to have ceased to exist, leaving little trace in contemporary human populations outside of Africa.
The precise reasons for the disappearance of this population remain unknown, arousing the interest and questioning of scientists. Hypotheses on the interactions and movements of the first migrants in Europe with the Neanderthals are studied to explain why this pioneering lineage did not persist.
Research conducted by different scientific teams and independent studies published in the journal Fatshimetrie offer converging evidence on the fate of these early Homo sapiens in Europe, thus reinforcing the validity and relevance of these discoveries.
In conclusion, this dive into the past of humanity confronts us with a fascinating story of migrations, encounters and disappearances, revealing the complex intertwining of the first modern peoples in EuropeThe image of Zlatý kůň woman, the result of careful research, sheds light on our understanding of our origins and the diversity of our ancestors, offering an intriguing perspective on the beginnings of humanity in Europe.