Archaeologists Uncover Mysterious Ancient Lineage in Colombia

In a significant archaeological breakthrough, scientists in Colombia have discovered a previously unknown lineage of human beings. The discovery was made after researchers fully sequenced the DNA of ancient remains excavated near the country's capital, Bogota.

The newly identified group, known as the "Checua," date back around 6,000 years and were found in the Nemocon municipality. Researchers were surprised to find that the Checua's genetic makeup differed significantly from other ancient populations in the Americas. "When we started to compare with other individuals from other parts of the Americas, we found that the individuals from the Pre-ceramic Period found here in the Cundiboyacense plateau have a lineage that hasn't been reported," said Dr. Andrea Casas, a researcher at the National University's Genetics Institute.

The Checua discovery includes partial remains from some 30 people, as well as one mostly intact skull. Notably, the Checua skull exhibits a more elongated shape compared to the skulls of other ancient groups found in the region. Additionally, the Checua skull shows evidence of dental abscesses, suggesting the group may have faced challenges in their diet and health.

The scientists are still uncertain about the origins and fate of the Checua people. It is possible they represented an isolated, nomadic hunter-gatherer community that eventually died out due to factors like climate change, disease, or lack of resources. "We work with the remains that are available," Casas said. "Perhaps in a few years we'll find other remains and they will shed some light on this lineage."