DNA obtained from the remains of a man who lived in ancient Egypt around the time the first pyramids were built is providing evidence of the ties between two great cultures of the period, with a fifth of his genetic ancestry traced to Mesopotamia.

The oldest known Egyptian DNA sample offers new insights into the potential ancestry of those who belonged to the enduring civilization.

The DNA sequencing of a man who lived a staggering 5,000 years ago has revealed the ancient Egyptian man had links to another ancient civilisation and parts of north Africa