"The Enigma of Luzio's Sambaquis Builders: Unveiling a Lost Civilization"
Researchers have analyzed genomic data from 34 ancient skeletons in Brazil, uncovering the story of Luzio, a 10,000-year-old ancestor of modern Indigenous peoples. The study reveals that Luzio belonged to an ancestral population that arrived in the Americas at least 16,000 years ago. The investigation focused on the sambaquis, large mounds of shells and fish bones that served as dwellings, ceremonial centers, and burial grounds. The study suggests two distinct migrations, one into the hinterland and another along the coast, and reveals that ancient coastal populations exchanged genes with inland communities over thousands of years. The research sheds light on the prehistory of South America and the origins of Luzio's people.