Researchers sequence whole genome of ancient Egyptian for the first time

The researchers listed the first ancient Egyptian genome from a person who lived 4,500 to 4,800 years ago – the oldest DNA example of Egypt. The body belongs to an adult man who died 4,500 years ago during the old kingdom of Egypt.

The individual was “genetically male (XY sex chromosomes) consistently with the expression of standard skeletal properties. It is estimated that the ancient Egyptian individual has brown eyes, brown hair and skin pigmentation.

According to osteological examination, the man lived 157.4-160.5 cm tall and until the age of 44-64. During death, age is intensely worn teeth in most joints and vertebrae, and an evidence of osteoarthritis -related osteoarthritis. Results published in the magazine on July 2 Nature.

Liverpool John Moores University of the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool, Liverpool, England and the first writer of the first writer Adeline Jacobs said, “The direct radiocarbon dating of the remains corresponds to the beginning of the old kingdom, indicating the beginning of the old kingdom,” he said.

The body was discovered at the beginning of the 20th century, buried in a large ceramic pot in a rock -cut grave in a region called Nuwayrat, a village 265 km south of Cairo. The type of burial and physical remains of the individual show that the man is relatively socioeconomically good, but also live strict labor.

Insights on the lineage

Genetic results showed that the majority of the lineage, approximately 78%of the old North African populations, especially from today’s Neolithic groups. However, the most fascinating result is that approximately 22% of its DNA is close to early farmers from Mesopotamia (today Iraq, Western Iran, Southern Syria, Southeast Turkey), one of the Eastern fertile crescent. Niraj Rai from the Birbal Sohi Palaeosciences Institute said, “This means that individuals from these regions not only exchange property with Egypt, but have migrated to the local people long before the construction of the pyramids and can interact with the local people.”

Dr. According to Jacobs, approximately 20% of the genetic structure of the individual proposes historical cultural changes and interactions between Egypt and East fertile crescent. “The relations between Egyptian and Eastern fertile crescent cultures reached more than 10,000 years, affecting the practices of animal farming and the trade of valuable goods, led to the emergence of writing systems in both regions,” he said.

Although the neolithic Mesopotamian connection is clear, authors are fast to indicate that this heritage may not be directly. “Perhaps genes were transferred through other old Levantine populations (Modern Israel, Jordan and Syria) over time, Ra said Rai said. “However, DNA offers the first direct biological evidence that the early population of Egypt is not only affected by local traditions, but also from remote interactions that bridge continents.”

The geographical location of the Nuwayrat cemetery appears as a red dot and individuals from Abusir-el Meleq, which was previously lined up, are shown with a purple diamond | Photo Loan: Morez, A.

Although the results are based on a single corn genome, they reflect another work that finds evidence of gene flow to the surrounding areas, including Mesopotamia and Zagros regions during Neolithic, ”. Genome data supports a broader cultural and demographic expansion from the Mesopotamian region, which reached both Egypt and Anatolia with archaeological evidence.

DNA well preserved

DNA was successfully removed from the individual’s teeth. Previously, there were only three ancient corn genetic data clusters from later periods –787 Cal. BCE 23 CAL. Ce. Despite relatively new age, they did not give full genome series, but approximately 90,000-4,00,000 targets are limited to enriched genotypes.

The ancient Egyptian genome is said to be the most complete and oldest from ancient Egypt. According to the authors, although there is a man who died more than 4,500 years ago, a possible explanation for the success of the entire genome is the pot grave. The tomb took place before the artificial mummification became standard application. Linus Press Cloion said, “Although the general climate is hot and the general climate is hot, even though the general climate is hot, we assume that a key factor for long -term DNA protection was the stability of temperature.” He said. Girdland-Flink, “We have also received DNA samples from the tooth root ends. Root ends are locked in the lower jaw, which can help protect DNA. This type of dental tissue is very good for DNA protection,” he said.

Rai, “especially in a warm country like Egypt to find DNA evidence is extremely unusual. To date, no genome has been taken from this region and time zone,” he said. “Indeed, most of the old DNA analyzes are obtained from colder places such as Europe and Siberia, where protection is higher. As in the war, as in the war, the oldest examples.

Published – 03 July 2025 02:34