Tag: genographic project

Current Event Connection, Geography In the News

DNA Reveals Undiscovered Ancient Migration Route

SCIENCE For ten years, Genographic Project scientists have explored and explained how patterns in our DNA show evidence of migration out of Africa and across the globe. But new research shows that eventually some of our ancient ancestors also moved back. (Nat Geo Explorers Journal) Use our resources to understand the Genographic Project and ancient human migration. Discussion Ideas To uncover evidence of an ancient … Continue reading DNA Reveals Undiscovered Ancient Migration Route

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Current Event Connection, Geography In the News, Main

Ancient DNA Links Native Americans

SCIENCE The Clovis culture, which developed in North America about 13,000 years ago from populations originally from eastern Asia, appears to be the ancestor of all Native Americans. Geneticists sequenced DNA of the only known Clovis skeleton and found markers shared with indigenous people from North, Central, and South America. (Reuters) Use our resources to better understand genetics and ancient human migration. Discussion Ideas Read … Continue reading Ancient DNA Links Native Americans

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Current Event Connection, Geography In the News

Modern Europe Is Younger Than We Thought

SCIENCE Modern Europe’s Genetic History Starts in Stone Age Europeans as a people are younger than we thought, a new study suggests. DNA recovered from ancient skeletons reveals that the genetic makeup of modern Europe was established around 4,500 years ago—not by the first farmers who arrived in the area around 7,500 years ago, or by earlier hunter-gatherer groups. (In this video, geneticist Spencer Wells … Continue reading Modern Europe Is Younger Than We Thought

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Classroom Ideas

Wednesday Word of the Week: Haplogroups

Haplogroups: [human geography]
Noun: branches on the tree of early human migrations and genetic mutations of “markers” found on the Y chromosome (NatGeoEd.org); the study of haplogroups is commonly used to define genetic populations.(Reference.com)

2011-02-07_1030627.JPGAll humans belong to a halpogroup, this enables geneticists to follow the ancestry of ancient humans all the way to the present day.  Inspired by the “tree” of human life, National Geographic and partners embarked on the Genographic Project. The Genographic Project studies where our early human ancestors came from and how humans came to populate the entire planet. Following genetic markers through thousands of human generations enables scientists to track our human origins back to Africa and to determine the pattern of routes by which humans migrated around the world. Researching the characteristics and journeys of specific haplogroups can help students understand how people from distant places are genetically related. (www.natgeoed.org)

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