7,000-year-old Human DNA found in Spain

Researchers have unearthed 7,000-year-old DNA of two hunters in Spain.

They actually reconstructed fragments of the genetic codes from the bones of these cavemen. The bones found date back to the Mesolithic age. Researchers recovered 1.34 per cent and 0.5 per cent of the human genomes and then reconstructed it.

Their findings have been published in the journal Current Biology.

Carles Lalueza-Fox, paleogeneticist of Spanish National Research Council said, "These are the oldest partial genomes from modern human prehistory".

Skeletons were accidentally found in 2006 by explorers in Cantabrian mountain range. DNA in the bones were preserved as the area experiences cold weather.

These cavemen were ancestors of current populations of northern Europe.

Mitochondrial DNA of one of these cavemen has also been discovered.

"Despite their geographical distance, individuals from the regions corresponding to the current England, Germany, Lithuania, Poland and Spain shared the same mitochondrial lineage. These hunters-gatherers shared nomadic habits and had a common origin," Lalueza-Fox added.

The oldest human genome discovered yet is of Otzi the Iceman, which is a 5,300-year-old mummy found in the Alps in 1991.

Lalueza-Fox said, "The team now aims to complete the genomes of both cavemen. Such data could help explore genes that have been modified with the arrival of the Neolithic in the European populations".