Ancient DNA Study Reveals Human Evolution Is Happening Faster Than We Thought

From SciTechDaily

A sweeping analysis of ancient DNA from nearly 16,000 people is reshaping how scientists understand human evolution. By tracking genetic changes across more than 10,000 years in West Eurasia, researchers found that natural selection has been far more active in recent human history than once believed.

For years, evidence for directional selection was surprisingly limited. Only about 21 clear cases had been identified. This process occurs when a specific gene variant provides a survival or reproductive advantage and becomes more common over time, such as the ability to digest milk into adulthood. Because so few examples were known, scientists assumed that this type of evolution played only a minor role after humans spread out of Africa roughly 300,000 years ago.