Genetic study reveals previously unknown migration into South Americapreviously unknown migration into South America around 1,300 years ago
An international team of researchers has published findings in Nature showing evidence of a previously unknown human migration into South America that occurred approximately 1,300 years ago, around 720 AD. The migrants carried genetic ancestry similar to populations from Australia and the Pacific Islands, though researchers emphasize this does not indicate direct migration from Australasia but rather suggests an ancient "ghost population" contributed genes to some indigenous Amazon groups.
The study analyzed 128 newly sequenced Indigenous American genomes alongside ancient DNA samples from across the Americas, revealing that much of modern Indigenous South American ancestry did not originate from the continent's earliest settlers. These findings challenge long-held models of American peopling and add complexity to the understanding of human migration patterns into South America over the past 15,000 years.
Research Team
The international researchers, including scientists from the University of São Paulo and the Spanish National Research Council, emphasize that their findings reveal at least three principal population dispersals into South America with subsequent regional differentiation. They stress that the genetic signals do not imply direct Australasian migration but point instead to an ancient population whose precise origin remains uncertain, and that their work challenges oversimplified models of continental peopling.
- Denisovan DNA persists in some South American genomes despite admixture occurring roughly 40,000 years ago, suggesting a substantial ancient population interaction event.
- The 1,300-year-old migration coincides with the decline of Mesoamerican cities like Teotihuacan between 650–750 AD, though genetic data suggests gradual dispersal rather than a single event.
- Research identified a south-to-north Atlantic coast migration route linking Uruguay and Panama approximately 1,000 years ago, spanning 5,277 kilometers.
