DNA Test – The 6 Mothers of Native America

As discoveries go, the fact that all Native Americans can potentially be traced back to just six women ranks amongst the most astounding. However, according to a report on ABC News, the findings from a DNA test are making it look increasingly likely that this is the case. This revelation was made possible by advancements in DNA testing and the scientific community are making waves with the application of various DNA tests.

DNA Test – Looking Into History

According to the report on ABC News, up to 95% of the Native American population today have a DNA correlation with 6 women who immigrated to the continent some 20,000 years ago. The DNA test conducted by the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation discovered that the 6 women in question left a DNA legacy that it now witnessed in the vast majority of Native Americans today. The DNA test also found that the 6 women who can claim to be the ‘Mothers’ of Native Americans lived between 18,000 and 21,000 years ago but may not necessarily have lived at the same time as one another.

DNA Test – Some Mothers Do Have ‘Em

The DNA test utilised mitochondrial DNA which is passed from mothers to their offspring. This type of DNA test follows a lineage that connects a person to his or her mother, the mother’s mother and so on. The findings that were garnered from the DNA test allowed researchers to generate a family tree which suggested that 95% of Native Americans are related to one of six women living thousands of years ago. It is, however, important to realise that the findings of this DNA test only represent a preliminary assessment of the DNA heritage of Native Americans and Connie Mulligan of the University of Florida stated to ABC News, “It’s an OK number to start with right now but further work may change it slightly.”