A Short History of Humanity

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In this eye-opening work, Johannes Krause, director of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, and journalist Thomas Trappe present a fresh perspective on our past, present, and future through the lens of archaeogenetics. This innovative science, enhanced by advanced DNA sequencing technology, allows for a deeper understanding of human history spanning over 100,000 years. Krause’s research on ancient human bones reveals not only genetic profiles but also the migration patterns of our ancestors, shedding light on their long-forgotten stories. Notably, while many populations carry Neanderthal DNA, Krause and his team have identified genetic links to the Denisovans as well. They uncover that a wave of farmers from Anatolia migrated to Europe 8,000 years ago, displacing the earlier dark-skinned, blue-eyed hunter-gatherers. This farmer DNA is a significant component of modern European and American genetics. Furthermore, the first inhabitants of the Americas, previously thought to be mainly of East Asian descent, also share genetic ties with contemporary Europeans. Despite genetics' history of fostering racist ideologies, current science demonstrates that genetic categories do not align with national borders. Krause introduces us to prehistoric cultures like the Aurignacians, the Varna, and the Gravettians, emphasizing that immigration and genetic mingling have always shaped humanity, highlighting that our identity i