Study links Native people in British Columbia to ancient remains

Friday, July 5, 2013  

Researchers have confirmed a genetic link between modern Native people in British Columbia and remains dating back 5,500 years.

The study found a woman whose mitochondrial DNA matches those from two sets of ancient remains, one from 5,500 years ago and another from 2,400 years ago. Three other people were also found with matching sequences to remains from 5,000 years ago.

The study confirms the long presence of the Tsimshian, Haida and Nisga'a people in the region, researchers said.

Get the Story:
Study of mitochondrial DNA ties ancient remains to living descendants (Phys.org 7/3)
DNA study ties B.C. First Nations groups to ancient ancestors (Yahoo! News 7/4)