The genomic analysis of current-day North African populations reveals the existence of trans-Saharan migrations with different origins and dates.

ABSTRACT: The Sahara Desert has acted as a barrier to human gene-flow between the northern and central parts of Africa since its aridification. Nonetheless, some contacts between both sides of the desert have occurred throughout history, mainly driven by commercial activity. Part of this was the infamous trans-Saharan slave trade, which forcedly brought peoples from south of the Sahara to North Africa from Roman times until the nineteenth century. Although historical records exist, the genetic aspects of these trans-Saharan migrations have not been deeply studied. In the present study, we assess the genetic influence of trans-Saharan migrations in current-day North Africa and characterize its amount, geographical origin, and dates. We confirm the heterogeneous and generally low-frequency presence of

SUBMITTER: Lucas-Sanchez M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9918576 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature