This linked article begins with the following statement: “A new paper on ancient DNA (aDNA) posits that every person on the planet is descended from hunter-gatherers in Africa”. This is news? I thought that was already the accepted theory. “The researchers looked at ancient DNA from as far back as 18,000 years ago. This information, they say, has helped them understand more about how modern humans were moving and interacting with another in Africa long ago.” Okay, so we know more about how those ancient humans were interacting, but still.
Our primitive ancestors left Africa somewhere between 80,000 and 60,000 years ago. But, as the article states, “something major happened around 50,000 years ago. This event changed how the people of Africa mixed and moved. Where the foragers had previously found partners away from their local areas, sometime around 20,000 years ago, most foragers in some regions were almost exclusively finding their partners in the local region. The researchers say this must have continued for some time, as the remains of ancient DNA didn’t appear to match with neighbors for several thousand years.” So the cavemen started sticking closer to home to find mates. Clans became more insular. Why? They don’t know.
I agree with you. This is not “news”. I have known about this for over 11 years, if not longer!
About 11 years ago, for my college degree, I participated in the GenoGraphic Project which was a successful attempt at mapping homo sapien migration patterns across the continents using DNA, specifically the Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA. They chose those two because they changed (mutated) the least over the last 80,000 years. They tested indigenous populations around the world and found that genetically, we started in Africa. The San Bushman which is the most indigenous tribe in Africa they could find had 0 markers (mutations) on their Y chromosomes. Essentially, they are the decedents of those first humans before they left 80,000 to 60,000 years. After that, the First marker pops up in Australia of all places! So the Aboriginals are decedents of that second group of humans after they left 80,000 to 60,000 years ago. While in Asia, the humans acquired more makers until they arrived in Europe much later expected, I believe around 40,000 years ago, or less. As time went on, more markers got added.
I got my Y chromosome tested and I was mildly surprised by the results! I belong to the J Haplogroup which is located in the Middle East, specifically from Northern Iraq to Israel. This makes sense because my father is Iranian. What was a little surprising was the age of my Y chromosome. The J Group comes from about 18,000 years! So my Y chromosome has not changed since Ancient Mesopotamia!
Between the archaeological evidence that has been around for decades and now the genetic evidence that has been around for at least a decade, how is this not common knowledge already and not accepted fact still? Goes to show you how closed-minded and bigoted a lot of people are.
Interesting! Do you subscribe to the theory that the people who would become the ancient Australians also made it to South America?
Yes, I definitely subscribe to that theory. The Polynesians are known for their “island-hopping” mode of travel so it would likely that our ancestors did the same! Besides Easter Island (and South America by extension), and Hawai’i, the Polynesians even made it to North America! Polynesian fish hooks were found on the islands of the coast and LA! Apparently, they even found some as far away as Canada, north of Vancouver Island! The Pacific Ocean was their highway to the coastlines surrounding them, especially South America!
I’m in agreement. Visually I think you see a lot more of the Polynesian influence in the natives of South America.