A New Big Database of DNA From Indigenous Americans Shakes Up Scientists' Theories About Human Settlement of South America
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New genomic research reveals a previously unknown third wave of human migration into South America, occurring around 1,300 years ago from central and southern Mexico into South America and the Caribbean. The study analyzed 199 contemporary Indigenous genomes across 53 populations, providing the most comprehensive view of Indigenous American genetic diversity to date. Findings also highlight a severe loss of genetic diversity due to European colonization and confirm mysterious traces of Australasian ancestry in some Indigenous groups.
- ▪Scientists identified a third wave of human settlement in South America starting around 1,300 years ago from central and southern Mexico.
- ▪The study analyzed 128 newly sequenced whole genomes from 45 Indigenous groups, combined with existing data for a total of 199 individuals from 53 populations.
- ▪Researchers found over a million previously unidentified genetic variants in Indigenous Americans, some linked to environmental adaptation.
- ▪The study confirms a significant genetic bottleneck caused by European colonization, drastically reducing Indigenous genetic diversity.
- ▪Some Indigenous American groups share about 2% of their DNA with populations from Australia, New Guinea, and the Andaman Islands.
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A New Big Database of DNA From Indigenous Americans Shakes Up Scientists’ Theories About Human Settlement of South America Genomic data provides evidence for a previously unknown wave of migration, with Indigenous groups living in central and southern Mexico spreading into South America and the Caribbean starting around 1,300 years ago Sarah Kuta | Daily Correspondent April 28, 2026 ShareCopy linkEmailSMSFacebookXRedditLinkedInBlueskyPrintAdd as preferred source Scientists now think humans settled South America in three waves. Marcos Araújo Castro e Silva Human settlement of South America may have been more complex and dynamic than previously thought, new research suggests.
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