Insights into human history and complex traits from the genomes of African populations

Ancient and modern genomic data provide insights into continuous human migrations and subsequent admixture and gene flow throughout human history. These demographic events and natural selection contribute to the genetic and phenotypic variation that gives the African population its unique characteristics. This genomic data have provided scientists with insights into complex migratory events, patterns of admixture and the spatial distribution of ancestral lineages. For example, the return migration from western Eurasia to Africa introduced pastoralism, and the remarkable expansion of Bantu-speaking groups brought agricultural practices to a wider area of eastern and southern Africa. In addition, the continent's vast and diverse environmental conditions as well as complex human history and higher-level genetic diversity contribute to varying degrees of susceptibility and resistance to complex diseases. With all these complex demographic histories of African populations and a multi-ethnic genomic diversity, it remains essential to deepen our understanding of the genetic basis of complex traits and diseases. This review provides an overview of insights into population admixture and complex disease states based on data from ancient and modern genomes. These include the major waves of population movement and patterns of admixture that influence the diverse, complex traits observed among populations within the African continent. Overall, this review will provide a deep insight into prehistoric demographic events and the genomic profiles of modern Africans and highlights the importance of integrated international cooperation to strengthen African genomics research.