What ‘Ghost DNA’ Could Reveal About Yoruba Ancestry

Scientists use the term “ghost DNA” for genetic ancestry linked to an ancient population whose complete genome has not yet been recovered. Research involving West African populations, including the Yoruba, suggests that some modern DNA may come from such an unknown ancestral group. This does not mean Yoruba history is mysterious or missing. It means genetics can preserve clues about ancient migrations and population mixing that archaeology has not yet fully explained. Researchers are still studying which populations contributed this ancestry, when these encounters happened, and how widely the genetic traces appear across West Africa. The findings highlight the deep and complex history of the region’s peoples.

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