Genomes Of 92 Early American Skeletons And Mummies Sequenced

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The Incan mummy La Doncela, or “The Maiden,” was found at Mount Llullaillaco in Argentina back in 1999. This girl died 500 years ago during a ritual sacrifice, and her ancient DNA was used in the present genetic study. Johan Reinhard

Researchers analyzing ancient DNA extracted from the skeletons and mummies of nearly 100 people who lived in South America 500 to 8,600 years ago reveal that European colonization led to the extinction of many indigenous genetic lineages. The findings were published in Science Advances last week.