We have a new preprint! - "Ancient Pathogen Genomics in Africa – Current Evidence and Future Directions"

A review of current evidence, challenges, and opportunities for studying past epidemics and host–pathogen evolution using ancient DNA from African contexts.

www.preprints.org/manuscript/2...

New preprint! with @a-solernunez.bsky.social

Rethinking a textbook example of human adaptation "AMY1 copy number evolution in light of demographic history"

Once population structure is accounted for, the classic starch–agriculture narrative becomes much less clear

www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

We were very happy to host our Ethiopian collaborator Zelalem Tolesa during his visit to Uppsala! We had great discussions, and shared ideas and experiences. The visit also included good food and conversation at a Lebanese restaurant. Looking forward to continuing our collaboration 🌍

Homo sapiens-specific evolution unveiled by ancient southern African genomes - Nature The genomes of 28 ancient southern African individuals dated to between 10,200 and 150 years before present offer insights into the evolution of Homo sapiens.

Our new ancient DNA paper has just been published!
We present 28 new genomes from southern Africa - several of them high-coverage whole genomes.
Exciting to be moving towards population-level representation of ancient southern African genetic diversity!

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

The coevolution of languages, peoples and environments in Central Africa’s Kwilu-Kasai region since ∼1000 BCE: A dialogue with Jan Vansina In this article, Jan Vansina’s essay on the deep-time population history of the Kwilu-Kasai region, now more than half a century old, is revisited thr…

Our new paper is out! 🪶 “The coevolution of languages, peoples & environments in Central Africa’s Kwilu-Kasai region since ~1000 BCE” revisits Jan Vansina’s ideas using new linguistic, archaeological & genetic data - revealing the region was a hub of Bantu diversification. doi.org/10.1016/j.qe...

This week, we welcomed our colleague Modeste Zeye from Burkina Faso to Uppsala. 🌍 It was great to meet in person again and catch up.
One evening, we had dinner at Messob, an Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurant — a nice chance to chat and enjoy some really good food! 🍲

We welcome Francesco Giannelli, who started as a postdoc in the group!

Wide-scale geographical analysis of genetic ancestry in the South African Coloured population - BMC Biology Background The South African Coloured (SAC) population, a prominent admixed population in South Africa, reflects centuries of migration, admixture, and historical segregation. Descendants of local Kho...

A big congrats to Imke Lankheet + co-authors for this new publication on genetic ancestry in the South African Coloured population. We reveal fine-scale regional differences in SAC, shaped by complex history and social factors @schlebuschgroup.bsky.social

bmcbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....

Interested in investigating human history? Still a chance to join us in Uppsala as a junior or senior fellow! Closing date soon!