If a new paper yet to be published and currently undergoing peer review is valid, it appears that Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, is indeed, real and a hominid mix, meaning that Sasquatch is a human relative that arose approximately 15,000 years ago as a hybrid cross of modern Homo sapiens with an unknown primate species.
Following five years of research, a team of scientists has sequenced several Sasquatch genomes. Results show that Bigfoot is a mixture between a human female, about 15,000 years ago, and a male, a previously unknown hominin related to Homo sapiens and other primate species. Wow. What a discovery!
This begs several questions. Is all of the mitochondrial DNA the same, inferring a single maternal ancestor? They have sequenced 20 different mitochondrial samples. Given that the mitochondrial DNA is reportedly identical to that of modern humans, we can presume, one would think, that the mitochondrial DNA is Native American, so a member of haplogroup A, B, C, D or X. Hopefully the forthcoming paper will be more specific.
The scientists fully sequenced three Bigfoot nuclear DNA samples and the results are stunning. The male is not a contemporary human and they have eliminated both Neanderthal and Denisovian males as possible founders.
Dr. Melba Ketchum, one of the paper’s authors, states that, “The male progenitor that contributed the unknown sequence to this hybrid is unique as its DNA is more distantly removed from humans than other recently discovered hominins like the Denisovan individual. Sasquatch nuclear DNA is incredibly novel and not at all what we had expected. While it has human nuclear DNA within its genome, there are also distinctly non-human, non-archaic hominin, and non-ape sequences. We describe it as a mosaic of human and novel non-human sequence. Further study is needed and is ongoing to better characterize and understand Sasquatch nuclear DNA. Genetically, the Sasquatch are a human hybrid with unambiguously modern human maternal ancestry.”
There are subtle and not so subtle messages buried here as well. Obviously, for the team to acquire 20 samples to process, there has to be a population of these creatures living in North America. Of course, everyone has heard of Sasquatch and seen photos and videos, but until this, nothing has been terribly convincing. There has been no smoking gun. If this research is valid and passes peer review, it not only confirms that Sasquatch is real, it vindicates many of the people who have had “sightings” over the years. It becomes the smoking gun. But as with much science, it raises more questions than it answers.
For example, are there any non-admixed Sasquatch progenitors left, meaning the males that founded the Sasquatch line with the human female? How would we tell the difference? This of course implies that some sort of pre-hominid species existed on this continent before Native Americans arrived from Asia and had existed separate from hominids for a long time. Is there other evidence of this creature in North America?
Where were these samples collected? Are the Sasquatch samples studied from across North America or from one region only? Are all of the Sasquatch related to each other, and how closely? In other words, were there multiple founder events? Was the Y-line DNA sequenced and what does it tell us? Were there multiple male founders or did the Sasquatch line arise from a “one time” event? Do any of the Native tribes in these regions have oral history regarding either Sasquatch or interbreeding with Sasquatch type creatures?
Are there “Sasquatch” in other parts of the world as well? The Yeti or Abominal Snowman of Nepal seems to be similar, and a scalp purportedly exists from that creature. If DNA samples outside of North American have been sequenced, are they related to the North American Sasquatch or did they arise separately, assuming they too exist?
And finally, do these creatures have “rights” and are they the same “rights” as humans? Given that they carry human mitochondrial DNA, and many Native tribes are maternally based, would they be considered “Native American?” How do we, as humans, deal with this? Are we learning that humanity is really a continuum?
Indeed, I look forward to seeing this published paper and I hope it is legitimate and not pseudo-science of some sort. The mere fact that the scientiests have opted for academic publication versus a book or TV documentary certainly alludes to the fact that it is legitimate research. You can read more about this announcment at these links. I’ll let you know when the paper becomes available.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/11/prweb10166775.htm
______________________________________________________________
Disclosure
I receive a small contribution when you click on some of the links to vendors in my articles. This does NOT increase the price you pay but helps me to keep the lights on and this informational blog free for everyone. Please click on the links in the articles or to the vendors below if you are purchasing products or DNA testing.
Thank you so much.
DNA Purchases and Free Transfers
- Family Tree DNA
- MyHeritage DNA only
- MyHeritage DNA plus Health
- MyHeritage FREE DNA file upload
- AncestryDNA
- 23andMe Ancestry
- 23andMe Ancestry Plus Health
- LivingDNA
Genealogy Services
Genealogy Research
- Legacy Tree Genealogists for genealogy research
I have followed this story and the Olympic Project, for years. Pretty darn interesting. I suspect we need DNA from the Flores find to put this in perspective.
“This of course implies that some sort of pre-hominid species existed on this continent before Native Americans arrived from Asia” – Not necessarily. Both Native Americans and Sasquatch may have passed through Beringia at the same time.
Interesting
Can’t wait to read the paper! I always follow information regarding possibility of any type of existence for a Sasquatch! It’s plenty out there as exemplified on channels such as Science, History, National Geographical, Discovery,etc, and it would be pretty amazing to find such a novel human hybrid!
This story is only helping advertise a hoax. There is no bigfoot DNA, there has been no peer review, and its all a publicity scam. Do your homework before publishing such crap!
Dr. Ketchum appears to be a reputable researcher. She assisted with the identification of 911 remains, among other things. I did some research before I printed this, although I also expressed a healthy amount of skepticism until I see peer reviewed results. That is the purpose of peer review before academic publication. You can read more about Dr. Ketchum on this website. The company, DNA Diagnostics, personnel is also certified as expert witnesses. http://www.dnadiagnostics.com/press.html
Reputable according to whom? Check the better business bureau complaints lodged against her! You may want to look into her last place of business being shut down due to non paid taxes/bills as well. This study is a joke, a hoax and nothing more. This Ketchum person claims to have been observed bigfoot on multiple occasions, and have been sexually assaulted by a bigfoot!
I’m not making this stuff up. She is far from reputable…
You, Sir, are just a spiteful Troll bent on derailing anything good that may come out of this study. Just look at your so called name….a slur on Dr Jeffrey Meldrum, Associate Professor of Anatomy and Anthropology and Adjunct Associate Professor of the Department of Anthropology at Idaho State University.
Dude, she is claiming angel DNA or extra terrestrial, mixed with human DNA. She has presented nothing to substantiate those extraordinary claims. You and all bigfoot believers that hold onto this study will surely only end up with a big nasty pie on your face. If you’re not one of the cons out there, I’d suggest looking into it further.
No, she is NOT claiming “Angel-DNA”, nor is she claiming extraterrestrials. Robert Lindsay is the one making those claims. You, JeFairy sMelDumb must be one of his many disciples who swallow anything and everything he says.
Chris, you are mistaken. Wait until you see the “paper” or talk to someone that has. This is a huge hoax. Nothing more.
I play senior softball with a couple of guys who might be candidates for vestigial sasquatch chromatin.
The bigfoot may have evolved in Europe or Asia or Africa and traveled to NA in the same way humans did. It need not have evolved here with Native American mothers.
And, yes, many Native tribes do have stories of interbreeding events, some quite recent, as in less than 100 years ago.
If this was really legit, wouldn’t the questions you posed, already have been answered? Perhaps, these scientists are really just marketing geniuses. Just a thought, time will tell.
Thank you for keeping us informed.
What is meant by: “a team of scientists has sequenced several Sasquatch genomes?” In particular what is meant by “sequenced?”
I’ve not heard of any clearly proven evidence of the existence of a “Sawquatch” or a “Yeti” and I’m fairly certain “sequenced” DOESN’T mean those scientists “created” one. So, I’m mystified.
Sequencing referes to genetic sequencing. When the paper is released, we’ll know more. I know there has been a move afoot to collect things like fecal matter and hair supposedly from the creatures for some years. At least some of that would contain their DNA, if they exist. From the the DNA, you can sequence mitochondrial, Y-line and nuclear, meaning autosomal, DNA.
The question of is there oral history of sasquatch and of sasquatch taking female native americans, interbreeding and such.
Uh YEAH! They’ve only been saying this for centuries. Oh no, Those were just stories and/or fantasies. LOL.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for this discovery even though I already know they are real.
But I am glad to hear that REAL SCIENTISTS have stepped in and doing the job.
All of my life, hearing so-called men of science saying that we’re all delusional, one tends to get angry.
Especially when they tell a life long hunter that what they seen was a mis-identified bear! And the so-called scientist himself has never seen a bear in the wild.
Go MELBA!!!!!!!
Go every researcher out in the field!!!
To Be Real Science, Real Scientists Are Needed!
This is not a HOAX, This is THE REAL DEAL!!!
Melba is a real hoaxer. She has taken years to do what most researchers have done in months.
http://www.bigfootlunchclub.com/2012/04/melba-ketchum-has-history-of-failing-to.html
Your articles are always SO interesting!!! Can’t wait to see further info on this subject!!! Way to go!!!
Linda Gribben (daughter of a Speak)
Having just entered DNA for Family History recently I was hoping to learn something helpful. Until I saw Brian Sikes on Today show talking about DNA from Yeti, then I saw red flags of doubt about this whole endeavor. I have yet to find one helpful scrap from my matches that “might be 26 generation ago. I need something useful in the 16th and 17th century up to 1800. I believed the science is possible to find these link in DNA, but I feel like I am on a merry go round at my personal expense. Hoping for something credible.
I hope it is the Ftdna Houston lab that has done the test so there is some authority.
Same here Donald! After days and weeks of searching out the best DNA company to pay big bucks to, and with some reservation, I finally made the leap. I’ve joined all the surname groups I feel are applicable, entered my results on various DNA matching sites, and have sent out a ton of emails to prospective matches. Although I’ve made a couple (and I mean a couple) of matches, I feel as though we’re the guinea pigs at this stage of the game. Bigfoot, really ?
Uh, scientists using DNA can find evidence of Bigfoot but can’t tell me for sure what ethnicity I am ? I believe some are hitting the eggnog a little early.
Pingback: It’s Not Easy Being Green « Offlogic’s Weblog
AN END TO THE PALESTINIAN ISRAELI CONFLICT IS IN SIGHT.
Thanks to my genius, on this day 11/26/2012, I have found what may prove to be
the perfect solution to the Palestinian Israeli conflict in the Middle East.
There is a DNA test available that traces human ancestry and where we have
originally come from.
I propose that all Israelis and Palestinians be subjugated to this DNA blood
test and who ever can show that their ancestors actually came from this area
gets to stay on the land, the others get to pack up and go where their DNA shows
they came from.
I don’t know why others did not think of this before, but I guess they were not
geniuses like me. When a great solution like this comes along however, all
involved parties should drop other solutions they may have up their sleeves and
vote it in its favor. As a reward for me, a noble peace price may be a small
token of appreciation, even though I would prefer something with a greater cash
value attached to it.
May sanity prevail always,
Parviz Varjavand
Pingback: Bigfoot is Real??? « Old Bones Genealogy
I am willing to wait to see how this plays out and then decide if I believe it is all true. It’s never easy or fast when working with real world samples collected in the wild. Obviously they have to look at many, many samples to find the few that don’t fit into the “normal” animal or human material.
There have been many “impossible” things that came out to be true in the end.
Thanks for giving us the chance to be spectators in this. It is really interesting.
Never judge early lest you too be judged !!!
I understand the complexity of non native belief . I’m a native we have history from ice age to present we forward an ardicle that we had given permission to be public we had DR ken tolifson as well DR miller both anthropologist to share our genome history . I have as well history to indicate about the article you are publishing is bigfoot/native share common history blood lenege we are protecting .. as a native we are not to share with the nonnatives its important to understand we know our family and birth lineage and our relatives seams the more you know about us the more it speals in other things I ask may you leave well alone we ceded you millans of accers and you prospered beyond any country’s wealth a I ask leave alone our family members ..
So all of you Na say rs are calling all Big Foot reported sightings Liars.
Pingback: DNAeXplain Archives – General Information Articles | DNAeXplained – Genetic Genealogy
No poop. What if they are going extinct and there are only a few left. Considering all the vast territory and their knowledge of our kind, who exactly would find poop if there are only a few left? And the idea of finding bones is ludicrous. How often does anyone find ANY bones in the woods, of any animals, who frequent the wilderness far more plentifully then, say, a Sasquatch. Wanting to avoid us at all costs and knowing the lay of the land gives them the extreme advantage. The bottom line of course, is that there is no hard evidence. But really now. If they actually did find one, and proof was made, seriously, how long would it be before that novelty eventually wore off? A year? Oh remember when they found Bigfoot? And the response will be: Aw, thats OLD news.
WAS THERE EVER A RESOLUTION TO THIS?? Was the paper ever published. Please let us know.
Shirl
Not that I know of. There was a lot of controversy.