Iceman DNA study points to missing ancestors

A new study has been conducted on the ancient DNA of the famous Otzi ice man, and it has brought unexpected results.

Scientists claim that his maternal line has not been found in any known ancient or modern humans.

Such results may point to an extinct and isolated population to which his mother belonged. This is reported by Live Science.

The study involved analyzing the DNA of the inhabitants of the Copper Age Alps – roughly 3368-3108 BC.

It confirmed that the ice man was a descendant of Anatolian farmers, as were up to 90% of other inhabitants of the region at the time.

His parental line appeared to be typical of the region, while his maternal line was completely unique.

Now scientists have asked an important question: why have none of the known people, neither ancient nor modern, found similar mitochondrial DNA?

The most likely explanation is that Otzi’s maternal ancestors belonged to an extinct group of people who lived in isolation for a long time.

As we know, Otzi’s body was accidentally discovered by hikers in the Alps in 1991. Scientists stated that he was killed about 5,300 years ago, and the glacier naturally preserved the body.

This still remains a mystery. He was killed under unclear circumstances; perhaps he was an outsider.

Now scientists have another argument in favor of this version: he could have come from the missing people.

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