Mystery on the Canary Islands

For many years, the mystery of how the indigenous people arrived on the Canary Islands before European settlers were unknown. The debate over when and why the canary islands were first populated initially arose by Europeans in the 1400s. Records indicated that the Canarians had no navigational skills. This led scholars to wonder how the Canarians even reached the islands. Were they brought by the Romans or perhaps sailed there themselves? Because the language and culture of the indigenous people were lost after European colonization, it has been especially difficult to learn about the past of the Canary Islands. To investigate, Dr. Fregel and her colleagues collected almost 50 mitochondrial DNA genomes from remains at 25 different sites. Most of the cites were radiocarbon dated 150 and 1400 C.E. Results showed North African, Mediterranean, and some sub-Saharan African lineages.  This fit with the genetic history of North Africa. The analysis also showed that the islands didn't have much diversity, where others had a great deal of diversity. This indicated that these ancient populations must have been large. Researchers found lineages that were known only from parts of North Africa and Europe. As well as four new lineages exclusive to Gran Canaria and two eastern islands. Dr. Fregel proposed that this might mean colonization happened in at least two phases with the second wave of migration only on islands closer to the African continent. Even though this evidence did not show how the Canarians arrived on the island, they were able to discover where they may have originated from.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/21/science/canary-islands-indigenous-dna.html
Samples being collected from mummified remains at El Museo Canario in the Canary Islands.



I found this article really interesting and amazing that the researchers were able to study a remains dated all the way back to 150-1400 C.E. Mitochondrial DNA can tell us a lot of valuable information about the past that can then be used for many things science or health-related in the future!

The DNA of "Black Death"

[caption id="attachment_7272" align="alignright" width="412" caption="Excavators dig up remains of Londoners believed to have died from the Black Death."][/caption]

According to Sciencedaily.com, construction workers in London recently unearthed a burial ground containing victims of the Black Death while digging a new railway line on the edge of historic Charterhouse Square. Archeologists that are currently excavating the burial site say that it contained more than a dozen remains of people suspected of dying from the plague that ravaged 14^th century Europe and claimed 75 million lives world-wide. Historical records revealed that a burial ground had been located in the area of the dig but were unclear as to the exact location until now. According to The Associated Press, thousands of Londoners were killed by the plague, though the exact number is unclear because record-keeping was so poor, said Roy Stephenson, head of the Museum of London's archaeological collections and archives.

Stephenson also said the bacillus is quite fragile and dies without a host so there is no chance that a new outbreak of bubonic plague might be ignited from the find.

The remains have been brought to the Museum of London Archaeology for testing. Project archaeologist Jay Carver said scientists will study the bones to confirm cause of death, and hope to map the DNA signature of the plague bacteria, which could be found in the teeth or bones of these victims. Radiocarbon dating could also be used to establish burial dates.

"This is a pretty rare find within London," Carver said Friday.

Though it may be a rare find these days in London, I have found that they are not all that uncommon around part of the rest of the country and other parts of Europe. The remains of over 75 million people are bound to crop up sooner or later with more of the world being transformed into modern communities. My concern is that though bacillus dies without a host, could it be possible that either a mutated strain is waiting to be revived or that a genetically modified version might rear it’s ugly head. Keep this away from Kim Jong-Un.