Human DNA Found In 2-3 Mya eDNA? - 6

It's Everywhere!

Continuing with our perusal of eDNA/aDNA, here is another list of 'human DNA' segments found in the 2-3 million year old Greenland eDNA (Appendix NFO).

The span of years contemplated in this series (2-3 million) is not out of bounds:

"Sahelanthropus tchadensis is one of the oldest known species in the human family tree. This species lived sometime between 7 and 6 million years ago ..."

(Smithsonian National Museum, emphasis added). Getting a bit more specific about the genetics involved:

"DNA also shows that our species and chimpanzees diverged from a common ancestor species that lived between 8 and 6 million years ago."

(ibid, genetics, emphasis added).  The project containing the list of FASTQ data files being perused during this series is Project ENA PRJEB55522.

Handle scientific research with care:

"The labs and protocols are designed to safeguard these precious samples from contamination. A strict working procedure guides researchers through the labs. This system, combined with positive air pressure, full personal protective equipment and a meticulous cleaning regime, provides the environment essential for preventing cross-contamination, whether from modern human DNA or between different eDNA samples." 

(Cambridge aDNA - eDNA labs, emphasis added). Thus, this series is not "out of bounds" and is within the scope of the eDNA/aDNA realm of time too, eh?

Remember too that "Neanderthals may have been just as smart as modern human peers". 

The next post in this series is here, the previous post in this series is here.