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Zana, Russian Ape Woman

DNA Evidence Suggests Captured Russian Ape Woman Might Have been Subspecies of Modern Human

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The story of Zana, supposed Ape Woman of the Caucasus Mountains is one often revisited and reexamined by historians, explorers, and scientists alike. Now a leading geneticist believes that the wild woman who lived in 19 th century Russia may have belonged to a subspecies of modern humans.

Zana was named by Russian researchers after her discovery and capture in the Ochamchir region of Abkhazia, south of Russia in the 1850’s. She was said to have been living in the wilderness, naked, but covered in a thick auburn fur, and appearing to be a cross between a human and primate.

According to International Business Times, Bryan Sykes, former Professor of Human Genetics at University of Oxford has analyzed the DNA of Zana’s descendants and has discovered West African genes, but surprisingly, her DNA did not match any known modern African group.

Could Zana have been from a surviving species of pre-human hominids, like 'Lucy', Australopithecus Afarensis?

Could Zana have been from a surviving species of pre-human hominids, like “Lucy”, Australopithecus Afarensis? Jason Kuffer/Flickr

Sykes theorizes that her ancestors may have lived in the Caucasus Mountains for generations after leaving Africa over 100,000 years ago.

Saliva tests were carried out on Zana’s living relatives, and a tooth was available from the remains of her deceased son Khwit, reports MailOnline.

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The beautiful but remote mountainous terrain of Abkhazia where Zana was found.

The beautiful but remote mountainous terrain of Abkhazia where Zana was found.  Wikimedia Commons

The findings are controversial. Skeptics question the sources of the samples, and Sykes’ methodology.

This comes after the geneticist’s involvement in other high-profile cases dealing with disputed DNA samples and conclusions. In 2014 Sykes and colleagues published a study on their findings of mitochondrial 12S RNA sequencing in samples of “anomalous primates”, popularly called Yetis. The team concluded the samples connected the legend of the Yeti with a Paleolithic polar bear.

Zana’s existence seems to be established historically by witnesses and residents of Abkhazia, yet experts wrestle with her background and biological identity—was she simply a victimized woman suffering from a disability, or a runaway slave, or even a surviving Neanderthal?

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Said to resemble cryptid legends from around the world, the hairy humanoid reportedly towered over her captors at six feet and six inches tall, and was described as incredibly muscular, powerful and “wild”. Zana was eventually sold to a local nobleman and resided at his estate until her death. She was “tamed” and forced into relationships with local men, and witnesses said she gave birth to several children who were “human” in appearance, reports Inquisitr. It is these descendants whose DNA was involved in the study.

Skull said to have belonged to Zana's son Kehwit.

Skull said to have belonged to Zana’s son Kehwit. (Source)

Known sons include Dzhanda and Khwit Genaba (born 1878 and 1884), and two daughters, Kodzhanar and Gamasa Genaba (born 1880 and 1882). Khwit’s skull was said to appear atypical, and anthropologist M.A.Kolodieva described it as “closest to the Neolithic Vovnigi II skulls of the fossil series.”

Sykes has published a book, The Nature of the Beast, detailing the story of Zana and her descendants. However according to Tech Times, speaking on the genetic analysis results, Sykes says “They will be published in the regular scientific press so I can't be more specific.”

Zana reportedly died in 1890, but her anomalous genetic legacy endures as an enigma that has yet to be accounted for and resolved.

Ancient DNA Origins

Featured Image: Artist’s representation of Zana, who lived in 19th Century Russia - and appeared to be 'half human, half ape'. Mail Online

By Liz Leafloor

 

Comments

Many speculations around this case, beginning with the cover "photo": it's just a bad imagination of her face. As to genetic studies, they were hold in three labs, and all the three showed the different results Shown here only one's not the best one

lack of science and lefts over charlatanism in this supposed "research ''.
Nowadays, there are plenty of authors who fake data to sell esoteric fiction.
The Paracas skulls case is another example.

Daily Mail UK--"why was baboon bone found in Lucy skeleton?"
Belongs with Piltdown man and Earnst Haenkels evolution embryo fraud. Add Nebraska man, Orce man, and Java man. That's why it's called the THEORY of Evolution. It's all bollocks. If you believe in that sheit, you are pathetic.

I think it is far more likely she was someone who suffered from hirsutism and had been shunned by her family and managed to survive on her own. This would explain the DNA of her children reading as H. sapien as would her own. 

HMF

When was Lucy proven to be a “hoax” and by whom?

HMF

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Liz

Liz Leafloor is former Art Director for Ancient Origins Magazine. She has a background as an Editor, Writer, and Graphic Designer. Having worked in news and online media for years, Liz covers exciting and interesting topics like ancient myth, history,... Read More

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