What role does paleogenomics play in the study of human evolution?

Paleogenomics plays a significant role in the study of human evolution by allowing scientists to examine ancient DNA, which provides vital insights into the genetic makeup of our ancestors and their relatives. By extracting and sequencing DNA from ancient remains, researchers can uncover information about genetic diversity, population dynamics, and migration patterns that have occurred over thousands of years. This genetic evidence can reveal how early humans adapted to their environments, interacted with other species, and migrated across different regions, thereby informing our understanding of human evolution and how modern human populations have been shaped by their ancestral lineages. Analyzing these ancient genetic sequences helps illuminate the complex history of human evolution, filling gaps that fossil records or archaeological findings alone might not fully explain.