The timing — approximately 2,000 years before present — provides a chronological anchor for this expansion.

Future research that dates Herrera-period sites more precisely and correlates those dates with genetic data might allow the pace and geographic spread of the Chibchan-related population expansion to be reconstructed in more detail.

A Note On The Elongated Skulls

The elongated skull morphology observed in some Checua individuals has attracted particular attention in popular coverage of the research.

Some of this coverage has connected the observation to narratives about “mystery skulls,” “ancient aliens,” or other sensational framings that have circulated on social media.

These framings are not supported by any aspect of the scientific evidence, and addressing them directly is worthwhile.