In a study published in Science Advances, paleogenomicists have sequenced the DNA of remains found in the Beringian land-bridge region dating to 11,000 BCE. The analysis reveals a 'ghost' lineage of modern humans who possessed a unique genetic adaptation for processing high levels of dietary zinc and copper, characteristic of a specialized diet based on deep-sea mollusks and cold-water kelp ecosystems.
The findings indicate that this population diverged from other North American ancestors during a period of extreme climatic flux at the end of the Pleistocene. This genetic specialization suggests that early maritime migrations into the Americas were not just geographical movements but involved profound biological adaptations to specific nutrient profiles found along the coastlines. This research provides a new layer to the 'Kelp Highway' hypothesis, proving that metabolic evolution was a key driver in the settlement of the New World.