A comprehensive genetic investigation has unveiled a long-hidden ancestral lineage rooted in central Argentina, tracing back more than 8,500 years. This remarkable finding, published in Nature, highlights an extraordinary example of genetic continuity in the Americas, challenging previous beliefs about the birthplace and migration of early populations on the continent.
Led by experts from CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, and Harvard University, the team examined genome-wide data from 238 ancient individuals spanning over 10,000 years and 133 archaeological sites across Argentina. The findings reveal a distinctive local lineage that has evolved steadily without interruption, contradicting the common theories of repeated population replacement or significant mixing.
This research shifts prevailing narratives in South American prehistoric studies by emphasizing the endurance and adaptation of indigenous groups in a region often overlooked as marginal in early human settlement patterns.
Ancient Genomes Rewrite South American Population History
The study began with the extraction of ancient DNA, including 29 dental samples from archaeological sites in Córdoba province. By analyzing extensive genomic markers, the researchers constructed a detailed genetic timeline revealing a divergence about 10,000 years ago from populations located in the Andes and coastal Brazil.
By roughly 8,500 BC, a distinct genetic lineage had solidified in what is now central Argentina. This lineage, newly identified by the team, remained predominant in the area for millennia, with individuals as recent as 150 years ago showing strong links to these early ancestors.
“This demonstrates that our understanding of human settlement in the Americas remains deeply incomplete,” said Rodrigo Nores, lead author and anthropologist at the Instituto de Antropología de Córdoba. “What we found here is not replacement, but local evolution over millennia.”
Evidence shows this lineage was involved in at least three major regional migrations: moving northwestward and admixing with Andean peoples, traveling into the Gran Chaco interacting with forest dwellers, and eventually dominating the Pampas region around 800 years ago. Genetic methods such as f-statistics and genomic block analysis combined with radiocarbon dating confirmed these movements.
Local Persistence Amid Continental Transformations
While other areas of the Americas witnessed drastic demographic changes due to environmental events, shifts in technology, and later colonial pressures, central Argentina appears to have maintained a unique, stable population. The study found no indications of large-scale population overhaul, instead supporting a narrative of ongoing local adaptation with only limited gene flow from neighboring groups.
This persistence contrasts with demographic patterns in regions like the central Andes, where genetic bottlenecks and social stratification had shaped populations before European arrival.
“The depth of continuity here is exceptional,” noted Dr. David Reich, population geneticist at Harvard Medical School and co-senior author of the paper. “It’s a reminder that human history can be radically different even across adjacent regions.”
While some minor migrations and mixing were identified, the dominant story emerging from central Argentina is one of continual cultural and genetic presence. This finding challenges older archaeological models that emphasized population mobility and discontinuity as the rule for this region.
New Genetic Insights Challenge Established Views
This groundbreaking study adds important detail to the larger framework of how the Americas were populated. Previously focused on rapid movements from Beringia with population replacements through the Holocene, the new genetic data from Argentina points to a more intricate history shaped by prolonged local evolution.
The datasets are now openly accessible through Harvard Dataverse and the European Nucleotide Archive, encouraging further research. Radiocarbon analysis paired with extensive archaeological evidence from over 20 collaborative institutions strengthens the reliability of these conclusions.
Importantly, the unique lineage identified is still evident today in the DNA of inhabitants from central Argentina, underlining a persistent genetic heritage despite centuries of colonial influence and recent admixture.
This continuity suggests not only demographic resilience but potentially deliberate cultural preservation mechanisms that warrant deeper investigation in future studies.
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