#  Massive Ancient-DNA Study Reveals Natural Selection Has Accelerated in Recent Human Evolution 

 





April 15, 2026

 

 

 ![stylised image of dna strands](/sites/g/files/omnuum1771/files/2026-04/848%20dna%20reich.jpg)

 

Image: KrulUA/iStock/Getty Images PlusReporter: Stephanie Dutchen

Published: April 15, 2026

Link: [Full Text](https://hms.harvard.edu/news/massive-ancient-dna-study-reveals-natural-selection-has-accelerated-recent-human-evolution)

**At a Glance:**

- Applying new analytic methods to nearly 16,000 ancient genomes reveals natural selection has acted on hundreds, not dozens, of genes in West Eurasia over the last 10,000 years.
- More than half of the genes have known links to disease risk and other traits today, although it’s not yet clear what made each gene advantageous in prehistoric contexts.
- The work demonstrates the power of ancient DNA to illuminate human biology and medicine in addition to history.



 

 

 



 

 See also:- [ Genetics & Genomics ](/research/genetics-genomics)
 
 

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