Paleogenomic insights into the evolution of human complex traits

The formation and evolution of complex traits have long been a central focus in human genetics. In recent years, the availability of large-scale genomic datasets, together with methodological advances, has enabled researchers to link the phenotypic features of complex traits with underlying genetic variation, thereby allowing a more refined characterization of their genetic architecture and evolutionary history. This review summarizes recent progress of the genetic evolution of various human complex traits—including morphological characteristics, physiological and metabolic traits, disease susceptibility and immune responses, as well as dietary adaptations—and discusses the unique application of ancient DNA in reconstructing these evolutionary trajectories, highlighting the considerable potential of paleogenomic data in this field. In the future, the accrual of high-quality ancient genomic data, together with multidisciplinary approaches, would further elucidate the evolutionary history of complex traits, systematically unveiling the genetic and molecular architecture of phenotypic variations of our species.