Abstract
Being able to extract DNA and then sequence the full genomes of ancient human remains from tropical coasts
is often considered precarious because of the warm, humid climate. Yet, we have now demonstrated the
successful sequencing of full genomes (i.e. gaining the information of all chromosomes – including autosomes,
X-chromosomes, Y-chromosomes and mitochondrial DNA) obtained from Stone Age human remains found along
the tropical east coast of southern Africa.1 With a minimalist sampling strategy, causing the least amount of
morphological damage, we sequenced genome-wide data from three sets of approximately 2000-year-old human
remains found 60 years ago on the Ballito and Doonside beaches of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. One set of
remains – those of a young boy (Figure 1) – yielded a remarkably complete genome, where every position was
covered by sequenced DNA (on average) 13 times.