"The study focused on mitochondrial DNA, genetic material that is passed maternally and found in every human cell. All humans can be traced via this specialized DNA to a single ancestral female who lived about 150,000 to 200,000 years ago, many scientists say.

Thangaraj and colleagues used this genetic material as signposts to trace the deep ancestry of six isolated indigenous tribal populations on the islands. The tribes included the Nicobarese, Onge, Andamanese, and Great Andamanese.

Earlier studies had shown that the Nicobarese are of Southeast Asian origin and probably reached the islands relatively recently, between 15,000 and 18,000 years ago.

In the past scientists believed that three of the tribal populations—the Andamanese, the Onge and Great Andamanese—on the islands were "closer to the Asians than Africans," Thangaraj said.

"But when we sequenced [their] complete mitochondrial genome[s], we found unique variations, which have not been found anywhere in the world, so far," he said.

The findings led Thangaraj and his colleagues to suggest that the tribes descend from "the very early migrants out of Africa."


I think this kind of study is amazing. Here's the link Genographics (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/05/0513_050513_modernhuman.html)

and this "mothers dna" can be found in the skeleton also. the male dna part? it rots with the flesh.

confirms what an old guy told me once, " your mother you can be pretty sure about. but your father? that's always iffy.":D :cool:

Ivan that reminds me of an old rez joke....

Q-"what's the most confusing day on the reserve?"






A-"Father's day"

interesting read....

There is a book entitled "the seven daughters of eve" out now about maternal mitochondrial DNA and the origins of europe. It is a very interesting read.