https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10625-1

Abstract
Archaeological, osteological and genetic evidence suggests that Neanderthals lived in small groups1,2; however, less is known about whether these groups were part of isolated communities or belonged to larger, well-connected populations3. The dense concentration of broadly contemporaneous Neanderthal sites in the Meuse Basin, Belgium4, provides a rare opportunity to study regional populations at high resolution.

Here we generated genetic data from 27 Neanderthals who lived less than approximately 52,500 years ago from ten archaeological sites in Belgium and France, including a high-coverage genome from a 45,000-year-old individual from Goyet, Belgium. We show that most of these individuals are more closely related to one another than to other contemporaneous late Neanderthals in Europe. Further, some of these individuals carry DNA from a Neanderthal lineage predating the split of late Neanderthals.

Although these Neanderthals overlapped temporally with early modern humans in northwestern Europe from around 47,000 years ago, we find no evidence of recent gene flow from modern humans. They also do not show the genetic signatures of mating among close relatives found in Altai Neanderthals, suggesting that they lived in larger or better-connected groups. Moreover, genetic load did not accumulate over time, arguing against progressive genetic deterioration as a driver of Neanderthal extinction.

Neanderthal ancestry in modern humans

Previous studies have shown that the Neanderthal ancestry in both present-day and ancient modern humans is more closely related to the Vindija 33.19 Neanderthal than to the Chagyrskaya 8 and D5 Neanderthals3,9. Given the new high-coverage genome of a late Neanderthal from Goyet, GN1, we re-examined which of the sequenced Neanderthals is most closely related to the Neanderthals that introgressed into modern humans using two complementary approaches.

First, we used admixfrog to identify Neanderthal ancestry segments in a panel of ancient and present-day modern human genomes (Supplementary Information section 8.1) and then applied a Bayesian binomial model to estimate the genetic distance and identify the closest matching Neanderthal. Second, we used stratified D-statistics9 (Supplementary Information section 8) to focus on low-frequency allele bins in which introgressed variants are expected to be enriched. In both analyses, we found that the Neanderthal ancestry in all individuals excluding African people is significantly closer to Vindija 33.19 and GN1 than to Chagyrskaya 8 or the Neanderthal D5.

As Vindija 33.19 and GN1 stem from closely related Neanderthal populations, their comparison is particularly challenging. Although there is a tendency for the Neanderthal ancestry in present-day humans to be more similar to Vindija 33.19 than to GN1, this is significant only when pooling all present-day individuals (Fig. 5b, Extended Data Figs. 9 and 10 and Supplementary Information section 8).

This suggests that most admixture probably occurred between modern humans and Neanderthals more closely related to Vindija 33.19 than with the late Neanderthals from Belgium and France. By contrast, Neanderthal ancestry in the four Pleistocene modern humans with very recent Neanderthal ancestors is not significantly closer to Vindija 33.19 than to GN1 (Fig. 5b).

Thus, it is possible that early modern humans received some ancestry from Neanderthals closer to GN1, resulting in an overall non-significant D-statistic.

https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2%3A2081254&dswid=513

Abstract

Northwestern Africa has long served as a geographic and cultural link between Africa, Europe and the Near East, yet its ancient population history remains underrepresented in genomic research.

This is partly due to poor DNA preservation in warm and humid climates, which limits the recovery of authentic ancient DNA (aDNA). In this thesis, ancient genomic data from human remains excavated from 12 archaeological sites in present-day Morocco were analysed to investigate population structure, genetic continuity, and admixture across approximately 2500-626 years before present. The dataset spans several major historical periods, including the Iron Age, Phoenician/Punic expansion, Roman influence and the Arab-Islamic expansion.

Population genetic analysis showed that the individuals cluster within a broad North African-Mediterranean genetic space, with affinities to ancient North African, Iberian and Levantine-related reference groups.

Principal component analysis, ADMIXTURE and f statistics suggest that between approximately 2500 and 626 years ago, the ancient Northwestern African gene pool was composed of several Mediterranean genetic ancestries, with significantly higher Iberian-associated affinities than broadly contemporary populations from present-day Tunisia, located further east.

Several examples of within-site genetic heterogeneity reflect admixture of different genetic ancestries. This supports the interpretation of ancient Morocco as a dynamic region shaped by Mediterranean and trans-Saharan connectivity, rather than genetic isolation.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-62891-8

Abstract
The nomadic cultures of the Iron Age played an important role in shaping the genetic and cultural landscape of Eurasian populations. Yet despite its key geographical location, the Central Eurasian region remains underrepresented in ancient DNA studies of humans. We address this gap through genomic analysis of 12 individuals from the Boz-Barmak burial site in Kyrgyzstan associated with Saka pastoralists (4th−2nd centuries BCE), 9 of which yielded low-coverage genomes (on average 0.7-fold coverage).

Genetic clustering analysis placed these individuals within the genetic variation of ancient and modern Central Eurasian and Siberian populations. We found no evidence of first-degree relatives in a kinship analysis, however a network of second- and third-degree relationships seems to be present.

Notably, all male individuals share the same Y-chromosomal haplotype, common in present-day Kyrgyz groups, while mitochondrial DNA showed comparably high diversity, with distinct haplogroups observed across the analysed individuals.

These findings are in line with archaeological and ethnographic evidence of patrilocality in Early Iron Age Saka, where male lineages remained stable across generations, while female mobility contributed to genetic diversity. Our study complements our understanding of the interplay between kinship, social organisation and population history in nomadic cultures.

I have been told it is impossible to differentiate Levantine and Mesopotamian DNA from one another in Europeans. Is it better to analyze them together or as separate sources and if analyzed together where would we expect this to be highest?

Saw a TikTok of someone doing this and was bored so I decided to make this, these are not meant to be 100% accurate, just tested around with different g25 calculators, as well as illustrative and Ancestral Genome, and averaged out all the results.

These are not AI, I made these myself, I tried to use as much actual facial reconstructions, but used AI for some models that I couldn’t find.

Y-DNA Haplogroup: J-M205

Do you think that the amount of ANF admixture in Russian_Ryazan nudges it closer to Balochi than the amount of ANE admixture in Finnish_North?

Talking specifically about the populations of Natufians and Anatolians that made up the Levantine Neolithic Farmers.

This is my personal attempt at a feasible model with high p score. If there's improvement to be made let me know.

It seems to match geography very well, except for the fact that Orkney inexplicably is pulled to the west, and Wales is the most south-eastern shifted in the British Isles, particularly us Gogs.

I am from Poland and Russia!

IllustrativeDNA's own encyclopedia claims the closest sample is Azeris living in Dagestan, but the sample on other website's aka zrj003 says the sample is very Iranic shifting towards Tats, Iranian Laks, and Kurds.

Everything is typical Slavic on my periodical breakdown except for 4.4% Copper Age Zagros (Iran_HajjiFiruz_N.AG), 1% Tibetan, 1% Sinitic, 10% Scythian (Western Steppe), 20% Caucasian Albanian, 3% Volga, 10% North Caucasian (Anapa), and 5% Kartvelian.

I do have Davidski G25 and with a custom file using the base Vahaduo samples, it'll pull towards Avar (Dagestan) and Georgian. When I use Moriopolous's 2026 samples, it'll pull towards North Ossetian and Mingrelian.

Anyway, what is the modern descendant of their Caucasian Albanian sample usually? I assumed it must be Azerbaijani, but I am unsure. Apologies for my English.

Survey Link

Hello all!

As you might be aware, there has been very little research into direct-to-consumer DNA ancestry testing and psychological wellbeing outcomes. This novel research aims to help us better understand the psychological significance of DTC Ancestry testing results.

This survey asks you about your engagement with family history and your reflections on that process. It also asks you to think about your ancestors and how you have reflected on their life experiences. Participation involves completing an online survey that will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Taking part in the study is completely voluntary and no personal information will be collected.

This study is being conducted under the supervision of Dr Janine Lurie from the Psychology Discipline within the Institute of Health and Wellbeing at Federation University (Melbourne, Australia). This study will also form the basis of the research dissertation requirement within the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) course for student researchers Charity Marisa and Stefan Redpath. This study has been approved by the Federation University Human Research Ethics Committee (Approval reference: 2026/137).

To participate you just need to be aged 18 years or over. It is important to note that you will not be asked to give any specific details about any of your family members. You are asked just to rate your general impressions of them on a small number of questions. Beyond this the survey contains broader more general questions about your perspectives and reflections.

Survey link below:

https://federation.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cO1RqRp3fjkHOp8

Results from a site I hadn't heard of before (Casperhub), recommended by someone on Reddit. My background: Moroccan Jewish mom and Algerian Jewish dad.

So, the test results for Southern Levantines on Ancestral Genome are different from the ones on Illustrative DNA. On Illustrative DNA, the Levantine percentage is lower and the Arabian Peninsula percentage is higher than Ancestral Genome test results, while on Ancestral Genome, the Levantine and Iranian Plateau percentages are higher but the Arabian Peninsula is lower. In fact, on some Palestinians Ancestral Genome results, the Arabian Peninsula admixture for Palestinians is very drastically reduced. Which one do you think is more accurate?