The Briefing Room

General Category => Science, Technology and Knowledge => Archaeology => Topic started by: Elderberry on October 29, 2019, 02:03:46 am

Title: DNA study claims human "homeland" was a southern African wetland
Post by: Elderberry on October 29, 2019, 02:03:46 am

New Atlas by Michael Irving 10/28/2019

The evolutionary history of humans is a murky one that’s full of gaps, but now researchers from Australia and South Africa claim to have plugged one of these plot holes. Combining studies of genetics, geology and climate history, the scientists say they’ve identified what could be called the “homeland” of modern humans – a vast, ancient wetland system in southern Africa.

Generally speaking, we have the broad strokes of our history worked out. Anatomically-modern humans arose in Africa between 300,000 and 200,000 years ago, before spreading into Eurasia and eventually all around the world. But exactly where and when we first appeared is a matter of debate.

Although fossil evidence remains a crucial part of how we piece the story together, it isn’t the only way. Many gaps can be filled in with DNA studies, and in particular mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). This is the information stored in the mitochondria, the structure that generates energy for cells. Unlike regular (or nuclear) DNA, mtDNA evolves extremely slowly, meaning it’s great at preserving ancient lineages.

“Mitochondrial DNA acts like a time capsule of our ancestral mothers, accumulating changes slowly over generations,” says Vanessa Hayes, lead author of the study. “Comparing the complete DNA code, or mitogenome, from different individuals provides information on how closely they are related.”

More: https://newatlas.com/science/dna-study-human-homeland-southern-african-wetland/ (https://newatlas.com/science/dna-study-human-homeland-southern-african-wetland/)

Title: Re: DNA study claims human "homeland" was a southern African wetland
Post by: dfwgator on October 29, 2019, 02:45:54 am

So, we're all African-Americans.

Where's my Reparations?

Title: Re: DNA study claims human "homeland" was a southern African wetland
Post by: GtHawk on October 29, 2019, 03:21:45 am

Quote from: dfwgator on October 29, 2019, 02:45:54 am

So, we're all African-Americans.

Where's my Reparations?

See,  Africans were the first slave owners! :silly:

Title: Re: DNA study claims human "homeland" was a southern African wetland
Post by: Absalom on October 29, 2019, 03:50:55 am

A reflection on and rejection of the premise !!!
Indeed the evolutionary history of Man, is much more than murky.
How many grasp the following cold realities:
* Darwin's 'Origin of the Species' advances an evolutionary concept that remains an
   unproven theory, even 160 years after its publication?????
* How many grasp that the age of earth has been very reliably estimated, applying
   hard mathematics, at 4,600,000,000 (yes billion) years of age, of which there is
   no tangible climate record for 99.9999999% of that time?????
Watch, as the next homeland of humanity will be likely be named Planet Narnia! Stay tuned.

 

Title: Re: DNA study claims human "homeland" was a southern African wetland
Post by: Smokin Joe on October 29, 2019, 10:36:16 am

Quote from: Absalom on October 29, 2019, 03:50:55 am

A reflection on and rejection of the premise !!!
Indeed the evolutionary history of Man, is much more than murky.
How many grasp the following cold realities:
* Darwin's 'Origin of the Species' advances an evolutionary concept that remains an
   unproven theory, even 160 years after its publication?????
* How many grasp that the age of earth has been very reliably estimated, applying
   hard mathematics, at 4,600,000,000 (yes billion) years of age, of which there is
   no tangible climate record for 99.9999999% of that time?????
Watch, as the next homeland of humanity will be likely be named Planet Narnia! Stay tuned.

 

But don't you see? This just lays the groundwork for those critters in DC trying to return to their wetland roots....