Origin of the Modern Human Being
Recent genetic research confirms that modern humans, Homo sapiens, originated in southern Africa, challenging previous theories that suggested a wider and more diverse dispersion. The study, led by international scientists, analyzed DNA from contemporary African populations and ancient human remains, such as fossils found in African caves.
The results indicate that around 200,000 years ago, our closest ancestors began to differentiate themselves from other human species, such as Neanderthals and Denisovans. The research traced the migration of early human populations out of Africa, highlighting how these groups spread across the world, creating the diverse ethnicities we know today.
This genetic study not only confirms the idea of an “African origin” for Homo sapiens, but also reinforces the importance of southern Africa as the cradle of humanity. The fact that modern DNA carries traces of this ancestry, especially among groups with African roots, helps fill gaps in our understanding of our evolution.
The research is a milestone in paleoanthropology, offering more clues about the origin and migration of humans through time, as well as reinforcing the genetic connection between all human populations on the planet.
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