What ancient DNA reveals about modern variants
The past is written in base pairs.
Reading the past
Ancient DNA from bones, teeth, and sediments has transformed our understanding of human history. We can now trace migrations, admixture events, and the spread of variants across continents and millennia. Some variants we carry today were present in people who lived thousands of years ago.
Clinical implications
If a variant was present in ancient populations and has persisted, it may be tolerated by natural selection. That doesn't automatically make it benign, but it adds context. Ancient DNA is one more line of evidence in the interpretation puzzle.
The long view
We're still learning. Ancient DNA studies are expanding rapidly. What we know today will look different in a decade. The thread of life runs through time, and we're only beginning to trace it.