DNA reveals ancient Africans bred with new unknown race of humans just 50,000 years ago

• The researchers studied the genetic material of 405 people from West Africa 
• They discovered mystery genetic material, which they have termed 'ghost DNA'
• It suggests that humans mixed with an unknown group about 50,000 years ago 

An extinct branch of human ancestry has been discovered lurking inside the DNA of modern-day West Africans which evolved around 500,000 years ago. 

Traces of this so-called 'ghost population' were located in modern-day people and did not match the genetic fingerprint of Homo sapiens, Denisovans or Neanderthals. 

Exactly what species the hominids belonged to is unknown, but humans mated with them around 50,000 years ago, researchers discovered.  

No physical evidence — DNA from ancient bones, for example — was found, but a computer model indicates this mysterious species must exist.

Exactly what species the 'Ghost people' belonged to is unknown, but humans mated with them around 50,000 years ago, researchers discovered. The ancient species split from the common ancestor of humans, Neanderthals and Denisovans more than half a million years ago