For the first time, scientists have sequenced the full genome of a 4,800-year-old Egyptian man. The DNA reveals North African roots with Mesopotamian links—reshaping our understanding of ancient Egypt.

The oldest known Egyptian DNA sample, from a man who lived between 4,500 to 4,800 years ago, offers new insights into the potential ancestry of those who belonged to the enduring civilization.

More than 4,000 years ago, Egypt and Mesopotamia stood as two of the most complex societies on the planet. But the new DNA sequencing reveals how these two populations also intermingled.