The mtDNA Discover™ Ancient Connections Report provides a list of individuals from the distant past whose remains have been analyzed. This is done primarily through DNA sequencing of ancient remains. This page allows you to discover and learn about these ancient relatives who share the selected maternal haplogroup.
The mtDNA Discover™ Ancient Connections Report contains the following information:
- Ancient Relatives - Provides a list of ancient individuals who are related to you through your direct maternal line. These individuals have been identified through the analysis of ancient DNA samples. For each ancient relative listed, you will typically find their assigned name and the archaeological site where their remains were discovered. By selecting an individual from this list, you can learn more about your specific connection to them.
-
Ancient Connection - Once you select an ancient individual from the Ancient Relatives list, this section will display key information about that specific connection. This generally includes:
-
Timeframe - A time estimate of when the ancient individual is believed to have lived.
- For more information regarding how we arrive at these timeframes, please see our blog article.
- Time to Most Recent Common Ancestor (TMRCA) - An estimate of how far back in time you shared a direct maternal ancestor with this ancient individual.
-
Timeframe - A time estimate of when the ancient individual is believed to have lived.
-
Ancient Connection Biography - A short summary of the life and times of the selected ancient individual. The information presented may include:
- Time Period and Location - The approximate era and geographical region where the individual lived.
- Cultural Affiliation - Any known or inferred cultural groups or practices associated with the individual based on archaeological evidence.
- Paternal Lineage (if available) - If the Y-DNA haplogroup of the individual has been determined, it will be included here.
- Source Information - Citations or references to the research projects, academic papers, or databases from which this information is derived.
- Ancestral Branch - A visual representation of your maternal lineage in relation to the selected ancient individual. It illustrates the path of descent from a shared maternal ancestor down to both you and the ancient individual. Your specific mitochondrial DNA haplogroup will also be indicated in this section, highlighting your place within this ancient lineage.
- Timeline - Provides a broad historical context for your ancient connection. It displays a chronological scale, often spanning tens of thousands of years, showing the approximate period when the selected ancient individual lived and the estimated timeframe for the emergence of your specific mitochondrial DNA haplogroup. Major historical and cultural periods may also be indicated on the timeline to provide further context.