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    'Ghost' DNA In West Africans Complicates Story Of Human Origins

    Modern genomes from Nigeria and Sierra Leone show signals that scientists call ghost DNA — from an unknown human ancestor. That means that prehistoric humans likely procreated with an unknown group.
    by Merrit Kennedy Feb 12, 2020 3 minutes
    An artist's rendering of DNA. Scientists have found traces of DNA they say is evidence that prehistoric humans procreated with an unknown hominin group in West Africa.

    About 50,000 years ago, ancient humans in what is now West Africa apparently procreated with another group of ancient humans that scientists didn't know existed.

    There aren't any bones or ancient DNA to prove that theory, but researchers say the evidence is in the genes of modern West Africans. They analyzed genetic material from hundreds of people from Nigeria and Sierra Leone and found signals of what they call "ghost" DNA from an unknown

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