Near-complete Early American Human Skeleton Might Reveal Origin of First Americans

A near-complete early American human skeleton has been found in an underwater cave, in Mexico that might be able to reveal the origin of the first Americans.

A team of international researchers and cave divers from National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) organized an expedition which found the skeleton in Hoyo Negro, a deep pit inside the Sac Actun cave system on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. It was surrounded by different extinct animals over 40 meters (130 feet) below sea level and had an intact cranium and preserved DNA.

Named "Naia" by the dive team, the skeleton was that of a teenage female from the late Pleistocene era - also known as the last Ice Age. It measured only 4'10" tall and is believed to be 15 to 16 years old at the time of her death.

It reportedly may be able to point to the beginnings of the Western Hemisphere's first people, as well as any links they may have to modern-day Native Americans.

"These discoveries are extremely significant. Not only do they shed light on the origins of modern Americans, they clearly demonstrate the paleontological potential of the Yucatán Peninsula and the importance of conserving Mexico's unique heritage," said Pilar Luna, director of underwater archaeology at INAH, in a press release.

The researchers used direct radiocarbon dating and indirect dating using the uranium-thorium method to examine the skeleton. They described it as the most complete skeleton ever found that is older than 12,000 years. On top of the intact cranium, it has all the major bones in the body, as well as a set of teeth. In addition, it is the first time a skeleton corresponds to the early American (Paleoamerican) skull. Facial characteristics with DNA can also be linked to hunter-gatherers who came to the Bering Land Bridge from northeast Asia (Beringia) between 26,000 to 18,000 years ago, and moved into North America around 17,000 years ago.

Further details of this finding can be read on the May 16 issue of Science.

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