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Story summary
- Sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) is increasingly used to uncover secrets about early humans, including Neanderthals and Denisovans.
- Eske Willerslev pioneered sedaDNA, proving that DNA can persist in environments such as permafrost and soil.
- Recent studies show sedaDNA can reveal human presence in sites lacking fossils, including Denisova Cave, where Neanderthals arrived about 170,000 years ago.
- Mitochondrial DNA is easier to recover, while nuclear DNA provides deeper insights into population histories.
