Ancient DNA Analysis - Reveal Your Ties to the Beginning of Time

DNA can survive thousands of years. Humans have been on Earth for approximately 200,000 years, and archaeologists continue to obtain DNA from archaeological sites around the world. Many of the DNA samples collected date back 40,000 years or more.

Those ancient DNA samples can be compared to your own DNA to identify similarities and trace possible connections to your most distant ancestors. Researchers extract DNA from ancient bones, mummified remains, and other preserved biological material to reveal information about archaic humans and how different and similar we are to them today.

Where Your Story Really Started

Many people have taken an ancestry DNA test to find out about their ethnicity and where their ancestors lived. The results can be surprising, revealing connections to regions you never expected.

But standard ancestry tests only tell part of the story. They typically show where your ancestors lived within the last few thousand years. Ancient DNA analysis goes much further, helping to reveal where your ancestors came from tens of thousands of years ago, long before recorded history.

By comparing ancient DNA samples to yours, researchers can provide insight into the deep origins of the population your ancestors belonged to. Even if you already know your ancestors were predominantly from one region, you may find that your ancient ancestors came from somewhere entirely different before migrating and evolving into the populations we recognize today.

Haplogroups and Ancient Ancestry

One of the most powerful tools for tracing ancient ancestry is haplogroup analysis. Haplogroups are genetic population groups that share a common ancestor and are defined by specific mutations in mitochondrial DNA (maternal line) or the Y chromosome (paternal line). By identifying your haplogroup, scientists can trace your ancient maternal and paternal ancestral migration routes across tens of thousands of years.

Haplogroup research is directly connected to the study of ancient DNA, as researchers compare modern haplogroups to those identified in ancient remains to map how populations moved and changed over millennia.

Discover Your Ancient Ancestry With Sequencing

Sequencing's whole genome sequencing reads 100% of your DNA across over 30,000 genes, giving you the most complete genetic data available for exploring your ancient origins. Through the Partner Marketplace, the Genetic Ancestry with Haplogroups app by Complete Genome Science provides detailed haplogroup analysis, tracing your maternal and paternal ancestral migration routes deep into human prehistory.

Already have DNA data from another provider? You can upload your raw DNA data to Sequencing for free and access haplogroup analysis and other ancestry apps through the Partner Marketplace.

Haven't taken a DNA test yet? Order your whole genome sequencing kit from Sequencing today and get ready to find out where your story really started.