Ancient DNA Reveals 7,000 Years of European Evolutionary Adaptation

Researchers uncover genetic traits shaped by environmental pressures, many of which disappeared over time due to drift and mixing.

The study analyzed over 700 ancient DNA samples from archaeological sites across Europe and parts of modern Russia, spanning the Neolithic to late Roman periods.
Fourteen genomic regions showing significant natural selection were identified, including traits related to vitamin D synthesis and lactose tolerance.
The ability to digest milk became crucial in later periods, likely aiding survival during food scarcity and disease outbreaks tied to the rise of dairy farming.
Immune-related genes underwent selective pressures as populations adapted to new diseases introduced by agriculture and societal changes.
Many ancient adaptations have since disappeared from modern genomes due to genetic drift and population mixing, highlighting the unique insights offered by ancient DNA analysis.