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Humans Evolved From a Single Origin In Africa

Posted by kdawson on from the 6,000-skulls dept.

Invisible Pink Unicorn writes "Researchers at the University of Cambridge have combined studies of global human genetic variations with skull measurements worldwide to show conclusively the validity of the single origin hypothesis. The alternative hypothesis contended that different populations independently evolved from Homo erectus to Home sapiens in different areas. The lead researcher explains, 'The origin of anatomically modern humans has been the focus of much heated debate. Our genetic research shows the further modern humans have migrated from Africa, the more genetic diversity has been lost within a population. However, some have used skull data to argue that modern humans originated in multiple spots around the world. We have combined our genetic data with new measurements of a large sample of skulls to show definitively that modern humans originated from a single area in Sub-saharan Africa.' The article abstract is available from Nature."

4 of 461 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Not so fast by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Isn't it possible that after submitting this article he found out more information?
    How exactly do you submit a retraction for a slash article?

    I would rather have Unicorn posting his own update than having someone ripping the original to pieces.

    His(her/it) actions are commendable in my book.

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    liqbase :: faster than paper
  2. Only confusing the stupid ones by paladinwannabe2 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Adam and Eve were black? Next you'll be telling us that Jesus was Jewish!

    Seriously, though, the creationists I respect go to the Bible/Koran/Talmud and say "God created the heavens and the earth" then go to a science textbook to figure out how he did it.

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  3. Re:Not so fast by lawpoop · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Can more variation in Africa really prove anything beyond ... more variation in Africa? I have a degree in anthropology. I recall some mathematical work in populations and genetics that shows that the place with the most diversity is the origin of the species. That because the species has been in that location so long, they've had more time to mutate and spread those genes a lot. I didn't really understand it, but it was highly mathematical.

    Anyways, some anthropologist took this population/genetics research and applied it to human populations. First off, they had to show that there was more diversity in Africa. They did this with genetics. So then if Africa has the most human diversity, and the above postulate about populations and diversity is true, then humans must have originated in Africa.
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    Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.
    -- Pablo Picasso
  4. Re:Not so fast by the+phantom · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Actually, it is simpler than that. Movement out of Africa would occur as small groups leave, to go to other places. Those groups will only carry a subset of the alleles from the larger population. Thus, they will be less genetically diverse.

    And it is nice to see another anthropologist on Slashdot. I have my degree in anthropology (focusing in archaeology), with a minor in statistics. ;)

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    Rhapsody in Numbers