People of Africa
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What's included in Ancient DNA Hub?
- This Ancient DNA Hub DNA test collection provides powerful, innovative, and interactive DNA-based tools to help you find your ancient ancestors, trace your prehistorical lineages, and determine your ancient tribal origins.
- Find out how related you are to nine African populations, including: Ptolemaic Egyptians (722–100 BC), found at Abusir el-Meleq, South African Zulus (89 BC–1595 AD), found at seven sites across South Africa, Clans of the Black Rhinoceros (13,550–2,350 BC), found at three sites in Malawi, Ethiopian Hunters of the Mota Cave (2,520 BC), found at Mota Cave, Ethiopia, Tanzanian Cave Dwellers (637 BC–1370 AD), found at three sites in Tanzania, Christian Kingdom of King Merkurios (711–733 AD), found in Sudan, Makurian Kingdom of King Joel (795–823 AD), found in Sudan, Makurian Kingdom of King Zacharias III (825–850 AD), found in Sudan, and Makurian Kingdom of King Moses George (860–934 AD), found in Sudan. These sites are shown here:
- Receive a detailed breakdown of your ancient geographical origins, ancient ancestry maps showing where your ancestors lived and traveled, and your exact genetic similarity to each ancient population.
- Compare your results with over 50 worldwide ancient and modern populations.
- After 15 millennia, you can reconnect with your African ancestors at a deeper level than ever imagined.
- Be part of a 15,000-year-long quest to trace the origins of African populations using the power of genetics.
- Meet the people who built the pyramids – their story can be your story.
- Basic test includes 40 ancient individuals.
- Advanced test includes 109 ancient individuals.
About the test
Africa Through Deep Time: From Cave Dwellers to Kingdoms – Complete Ancestral Compendium
Do you carry a family tradition pointing to Zulu, Egyptian, or other African origins? Have you ever wondered whether your lineage connects to the people who lived when humans sheltered in caves, recited spells from The Book of the Dead, or shaped powerful kingdoms along the Nile and across sub-Saharan Africa? This compendium invites you into one of humanity’s longest and richest stories—spanning deep prehistory, classical civilization, medieval Christian kingdoms, and living traditions that continue to shape Africa today.
We reconstructed the DNA of 109 ancient individuals from multiple regions across Africa, including South Africa, East Africa (Sudan and Ethiopia), Tanzania, Malawi, and Egypt. Together, these individuals represent communities that lived across more than 15,000 years of African history—capturing moments of profound innovation, belief, migration, and cultural continuity.
What tests are included in this compendium?
This compendium unites nine of our African genomic reconstructions, each representing a distinct population, time period, and cultural world. By comparing your DNA to these ancient groups, you can explore whether your genetic story intersects with some of the most influential peoples ever to inhabit the African continent.
You will receive a comprehensive ancestral profile integrating genetic data with historical and archaeological context. Each group includes detailed haplogroup analyses, migration histories, and reconstructions of daily life, belief systems, cultic practices, social norms, and recorded deeds. A full individual profile is available for every ancient person included—allowing you to explore whether your own DNA still carries echoes of Africa’s deepest and most influential past.
Do you carry a family tradition pointing to Zulu, Egyptian, or other African origins? Have you ever wondered whether your lineage connects to the people who lived when humans sheltered in caves, recited spells from The Book of the Dead, or shaped powerful kingdoms along the Nile and across sub-Saharan Africa? This compendium invites you into one of humanity’s longest and richest stories—spanning deep prehistory, classical civilization, medieval Christian kingdoms, and living traditions that continue to shape Africa today.
We reconstructed the DNA of 109 ancient individuals from multiple regions across Africa, including South Africa, East Africa (Sudan and Ethiopia), Tanzania, Malawi, and Egypt. Together, these individuals represent communities that lived across more than 15,000 years of African history—capturing moments of profound innovation, belief, migration, and cultural continuity.
What tests are included in this compendium?
This compendium unites nine of our African genomic reconstructions, each representing a distinct population, time period, and cultural world. By comparing your DNA to these ancient groups, you can explore whether your genetic story intersects with some of the most influential peoples ever to inhabit the African continent.
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Ptolemaic Egyptians (722–100 BC)
Centered on individuals from Abusir el-Meleq, this test explores the genetic legacy of Egypt during the Ptolemaic period—a time of Greek rule, enduring Egyptian tradition, and the continued use of sacred texts such as The Book of the Dead. It offers insight into one of the world’s most iconic civilizations. -
South African Zulus (89 BC–1595 AD)
This reconstruction captures the deep roots of Zulu populations from multiple sites in South Africa. It traces long-term continuity, social organization, and interaction with neighboring groups, illuminating the foundations of a culture that remains central to southern African identity. -
Clans of the Black Rhinoceros, Malawi (13,550–2,350 BC)
Representing some of the earliest populations in this compendium, these individuals lived during periods when humans relied on hunting, gathering, and early landscape management. This test provides a window into deep African prehistory and the survival strategies of early communities. -
Ethiopian Hunters of the Mota Cave (2,520 BC)
Based on remains from Mota Cave, this test explores the genetic heritage of hunter-gatherer populations in the Ethiopian Highlands. It offers rare insight into lifeways, mobility, and belief systems in East Africa before the widespread adoption of agriculture. -
Tanzanian Cave Dwellers (637 BC–1370 AD)
This reconstruction follows communities who lived in and around cave sites in Tanzania across more than a millennium. It documents continuity and change in subsistence, social organization, and interaction with surrounding populations. -
Christian Kingdom of King Merkurios (711–733 AD)
This test represents the early Christian Kingdom of Makuria under King Merkurios, highlighting the genetic legacy of a Nubian state that played a central role in medieval African Christianity and regional diplomacy. -
Makurian Kingdom of King Joel (795–823 AD)
Explore the people of Makuria during the reign of King Joel, a period marked by political stability, religious life, and interaction with neighboring powers along the Nile corridor. -
Makurian Kingdom of King Zacharias III (825–850 AD)
This reconstruction captures Makurian society during a time of continuity and transition, revealing how Nubian Christian communities maintained identity, belief, and governance in a changing medieval world. -
Makurian Kingdom of King Moses George (860–934 AD)
Representing the later phase of Makurian power, this test documents the genetic and cultural legacy of Nubian Christians as they navigated shifting regional dynamics and enduring religious traditions.
You will receive a comprehensive ancestral profile integrating genetic data with historical and archaeological context. Each group includes detailed haplogroup analyses, migration histories, and reconstructions of daily life, belief systems, cultic practices, social norms, and recorded deeds. A full individual profile is available for every ancient person included—allowing you to explore whether your own DNA still carries echoes of Africa’s deepest and most influential past.
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Why take this test
Up until 2010, reading the DNA of ancient people was a dream. Since then, the DNA of a Neanderthal who lived over 30,000 years ago has been sequenced. After that reading, the DNA of ancient people who lived from 15,000 BC to 1,800 AD all over the world became the main object of paleogenomic research. This leap forward in technology allowed the creation of a new type of DNA test — tests that do not use modern-day populations as stand-ins for the ancient tribes but rather go right to the source and study these ancient peoples themselves.
The Ancient DNA Hub DNA test is the first next-generation DNA test. It is designed solely using the DNA of ancient people throughout history using our novel technologies.
With this test, you will receive a precise ancient ethnicity estimate with far greater geographical details than you could imagine. You will make new connections with historical people and places where your ancestors lived, walked, battled, created, and dreamed thousands of years ago. Using the genetic data and evidence from history and archeology, we can revive the past and allow you to take part in this story at the most personal level.
The Ancient DNA Hub DNA test is the first next-generation DNA test. It is designed solely using the DNA of ancient people throughout history using our novel technologies.
With this test, you will receive a precise ancient ethnicity estimate with far greater geographical details than you could imagine. You will make new connections with historical people and places where your ancestors lived, walked, battled, created, and dreamed thousands of years ago. Using the genetic data and evidence from history and archeology, we can revive the past and allow you to take part in this story at the most personal level.
