The Most Important Genome In Alaskan Prehistory

In the years since the 2018 paper, the USR1 genome has been reanalyzed, incorporated into larger comparative studies, and used as a reference point for understanding the early diversification of Native American populations.

Its position in the growing database of ancient American genomes is secure: it remains, as of current research, the oldest genome recovered from Alaska and one of the most informative ancient American genomes ever analyzed.

Its specific importance derives from several characteristics that work together to make it uniquely informative.