New research appearing in Nature Paleogenomics has identified a previously unknown "ghost lineage" of humans through the genetic analysis of 8,000-year-old skeletal remains found on the Sunda Shelf. This population, which existed before the massive sea-level rises of the early Holocene, shows unique genetic markers optimized for a high-marine diet and deep-sea diving, distinct from both the Papuan and Austronesian lineages.
The study utilized high-coverage whole-genome sequencing to trace how this group interacted with early agriculturalists migrating through Southeast Asia. The findings suggest that these maritime foragers contributed significant genetic material to modern coastal populations, particularly in the areas of metabolic efficiency and respiratory resilience under high-pressure conditions.