Ancient DNA from South Africa
30 ancient people from South Africa have had their genome published, from 8,335 BC to AD 1595. Here they are on a map and period by period, with their archaeological cultures and haplogroups.
Main archaeological groups: SouthAfrica LateHolocene (8), SouthAfrica 2000BP (4), SouthAfrica 400BP (4), SouthAfrica OakhurstRockshelter LateHolocene (4), SouthAfrica 1900BP (2).
Most frequent Y-DNA lines: A1b (12).
Most frequent mtDNA lines: L0d (7), L3e (3).
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Period by period
10,000 to 5,000 BC (3 individuals)
| Date | Group | Site | Y-DNA | mtDNA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,335 BC | SouthAfrica LateHolocene | Oakhurst Rockshelter | ||
| 8,306 BC | SouthAfrica OakhurstRockshelter LateHolocene | Oakhurst Rockshelter | ||
| 5,818 BC | SouthAfrica MatjesRiver LSA Wilton | Matjes River |
5,000 to 3,000 BC (8 individuals)
| Date | Group | Site | Y-DNA | mtDNA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,842 BC | SouthAfrica OakhurstRockshelter LateHolocene | Oakhurst Rockshelter | ||
| 4,279 BC | SouthAfrica LateHolocene | Oakhurst Rockshelter | A1b1b2a | |
| 4,213 BC | SouthAfrica LateHolocene | Oakhurst Rockshelter | A1b1 | |
| 3,802 BC | SouthAfrica LateHolocene | Oakhurst Rockshelter | A1b1 | |
| 3,731 BC | SouthAfrica LateHolocene | Oakhurst Rockshelter | A1b1b2a | |
| 3,615 BC | SouthAfrica OakhurstRockshelter LateHolocene | Oakhurst Rockshelter | ||
| 3,590 BC | SouthAfrica MatjesRiver LSA Wilton | Matjes River | ||
| 3,223 BC | SouthAfrica LateHolocene | Oakhurst Rockshelter |
3,000 to 1,000 BC (2 individuals)
| Date | Group | Site | Y-DNA | mtDNA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,685 BC | SouthAfrica LateHolocene | Oakhurst Rockshelter | ||
| 1,862 BC | SouthAfrica MatjesRiver LSA | Matjes River |
1,000 BC to AD 1 (7 individuals)
| Date | Group | Site | Y-DNA | mtDNA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 383 BC | SouthAfrica GrBrakRivCave LSA | Gr. Brak Riv. Cave | A1b1b2a | |
| 295 BC | SouthAfrica 2200BP | St Helena | A1b1b2a | L0d2c1 |
| 255 BC | SouthAfrica CapeStFrancis LSA | Cape St Francis | A1b1b2a | |
| 89 BC | SouthAfrica 2000BP | Doonside | L0d2 | |
| 87 BC | SouthAfrica 2000BP | Ballito Bay | A1b1 | L0d2a1 |
| 87 BC | SouthAfrica 2000BP | Ballito Bay | A1b1 | |
| 87 BC | SouthAfrica 2000BP | Ballito Bay | A1b1 |
AD 1 to 1000 (5 individuals)
| Date | Group | Site | Y-DNA | mtDNA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AD 40 | SouthAfrica 1900BP | Faraoskop Rock Shelter | A1b1b2a | L0d1b2b1b |
| AD 62 | SouthAfrica 1900BP | Ballito Bay | A1b1b2a | L0d2c1 |
| AD 505 | SouthAfrica Springbokvlakte Ceramic | Springbokvlakte | ||
| AD 571 | SouthAfrica LateHolocene | Oakhurst Rockshelter | ||
| AD 767 | SouthAfrica 1200BP | Kasteelberg | L0d1a1a |
After AD 1000 (5 individuals)
| Date | Group | Site | Y-DNA | mtDNA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AD 1338 | SouthAfrica OakhurstRockshelter LateHolocene | Oakhurst Rockshelter | ||
| AD 1459 | SouthAfrica 400BP | Eland Cave | L3e3b1 | |
| AD 1515 | SouthAfrica 400BP | Newcastle | L3e2b1a2 | |
| AD 1560 | SouthAfrica 400BP | Mfongosi | L3e1b2 | |
| AD 1595 | SouthAfrica 400BP | Champagne Castle | L0d2a1a |
Excavation sites
- Oakhurst Rockshelter 12, 8,335 BC to AD 1338
- Ballito Bay 4, 87 BC to AD 62
- Matjes River 3, 5,818 BC to 1,862 BC
- Cape St Francis 1, 255 BC
- Champagne Castle 1, AD 1595
- Doonside 1, 89 BC
- Eland Cave 1, AD 1459
- Faraoskop Rock Shelter 1, AD 40
- Gr. Brak Riv. Cave 1, 383 BC
- Kasteelberg 1, AD 767
- Mfongosi 1, AD 1560
- Newcastle 1, AD 1515
- Springbokvlakte 1, AD 505
- St Helena 1, 295 BC
Source: Allen Ancient DNA Resource v66 (Mallick et al. 2024), individuals with a date and coordinates; samples the AADR flags as misdated are left out. Group names are those of the original studies. Haplogroups are shown when they could be read from the ancient DNA.