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 (Appendix NFO).

The year span 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?

The previous post in this series is here.