Ancestors of Tibetans Traced to Yunnan, China, Revealing "Ghost" Population

Archaeological research has traced the origins of the Tibetan people, including a mysterious "ghost" population, back to Yunnan province in China over 7,100 years ago. This discovery sheds light on the complex human migrations that shaped East Asia. Scientists analyzed DNA from over 125 individuals who lived in Yunnan between 7,100 and 1,500 years ago. Comparing these ancient genomes to modern Tibetans revealed a link to a previously unknown Asian ancestry, potentially representing the elusive "ghost" lineage. This individual, dating back 7,100 years, exhibited genetic distinctiveness from most modern East Asians, comparable to a 40,000-year-old individual from the Beijing area. Researchers believe this lineage diverged from other early Asian populations over 40,000 years ago and survived in southern regions due to more stable Ice Age climates. The study also identified a unique "central Yunnan" ancestry that emerged around 5,500 years ago, contributing to the genetic makeup of Austroasiatic language speakers. This suggests that demographic expansions predated the spread of agriculture in the region, highlighting Yunnan as a crucial crossroads for ancient populations. Researchers hope further studies in central Yunnan and the Red River Valley will uncover more details about Austroasiatic prehistory and the full story of Tibet's "ghost" ancestors.