DNA Longevity: How Long Does It Last?
Scientists have successfully sequenced DNA up to 2.4 million years old from Greenland sediments, but the preservation of ancient DNA is limited by environmental factors, with ideal conditions being cold, dark, and dry. Theoretically, DNA could survive for about 6.8 million years under perfect conditions, but practically, the oldest meaningful DNA comes from much more recent specimens, such as Neanderthals and ancient human relatives. The potential for discovering older DNA remains, especially in cold environments like Antarctica, continues to excite researchers.
