Ancient DNA sheds light on the origins of Early European Farmers

This article discusses a project undertaken by Professor Alan Cooper, Director of the Australian Center for Ancient DNA at the University of Adelaide. Cooper and his team analyzed ancient DNA from a neolithic graveyard in Germany, and found that the individuals interred there are genetically similar to Near Eastern populations, rather than European populations. This challenges previous beliefs that early neolithic farmers in Europe were descended from the European hunter gatherers that occupied the area prior to the establishment of agriculture.