Ancient humans who crossed the Bering Strait into the Americas carried a hidden genetic gift. Researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder have found that these early settlers inherited a rare gene, known as MUC19, from Denisovans and Neanderthals, their long-extinct human relatives.
This ancient DNA may have helped the first Americans adapt to unfamiliar foods, fight off new diseases, and endure harsh environments, offering a fresh glimpse into how our ancestors survived on a new continent. Scientists even say this ancient gene still lives on in us today.
Intrigued? Click through this gallery to see how this ancient genetic connection transformed the story of human survival and evolution.