Esther Brielle

Geneticist, Harvard University

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Last updated Oct 25, 2026

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Ancient DNA ties Maya cave teeth to faraway elite tombs

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Generated ancient DNA data for the study

A Maya woman buried in a Belize cave between 250 and 400 CE had 226 human teeth scattered around her pelvis and spine. Ancient DNA analysis reported October 23 traced the teeth to at least 30 people, 24 of them also buried in elite tombs more than 26 kilometers away.

Updated Oct 25