Ancient humans avoided inbreeding by networking
DNA from 34,000 years ago suggests hunter-gatherers left home to find mates
ANCIENT NETWORKERS DNA from four Stone Age people — including the two shown here as they looked when excavated, top, and at the time of death, bottom — suggests that hunter-gatherers have long formed groups with few close relatives. Aside from discouraging inbreeding, that social structure encouraged cooperative ties among groups and rapid cultural advances, scientists say.
Libor Balák, Antropark
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