Chinese team traces ‘ghost ancestors’ of modern Tibetans to Yunnan province
South China Morning PostSunday, June 1, 2025 at 12:00:09 PM
A team of Chinese scientists has cracked a long-standing mystery about the ancestors of modern Tibetans—tracing their genetic roots back to Yunnan province in southwest China. By analyzing ancient DNA, they’ve uncovered clues about how these early humans migrated and adapted to the harsh, high-altitude environment of the Tibetan Plateau. The findings, published in Science, confirm a theory that’s been floating around for a while but lacked solid evidence until now.
Editor’s Note: This isn’t just some dusty academic discovery—it’s a big deal for understanding human migration and survival in extreme conditions. Knowing where Tibetans came from and how their ancestors thrived in such a tough environment could even shed light on how humans adapt to challenges like high altitude and climate change. Plus, it’s a cool reminder of how much we can learn from ancient DNA.
— Curated via WP Now’s
