Vindication of the Multiregional hypothesis for human origins

[Justtristo]

With the discoveries of modern humans being descended in part from previous human species (Neanderthals, archaic homo in Africa and Asian "Neanderthals"). The whole out of Africa theory is becoming under a serious challenge and the multi-regional hypothesis for the origin of humans might very well be vindicated. I for example used to be until recently die hard out-of-Africa, however I have had to reconsider that position on the basis of evidence uncovered (particularly through DNA studies).

Any thoughts from others on the forum about these recent developments in theories on how homo sapiens originated.

[The Grand Nudger]

Well, it would probably be more accurate to state that we would have to modify the "out of africa" story. As our earliest ancestors are still only found there. Not exactly a wholesale replacement, and something that happens all the time in science. Think newtonion physics to Relativity.

[Anomalocaris]

I think the notion that all modern humans derive the predominant portion of the genes from very recent migrations out of Africa has not been significantly challenged. The notion that there was no interbreeding between the out-of-Africa population and local population is completely unnecessary to the validity of OOA hypothesis.

One might say so long as all major modern populations derive at least 50% of those genes which makes them homosapien from recent migrations out of Africa, OOA stands. Recent discoveries merely suggest not 100% of all of our genes came exclusively out of Africa in a single migration.

So recent discoveries chipped away at superfluous icing on the OOA cake. It hasn't even come close to touching the essential substance of OOA.

[Minimalist]

I have to disagree with you, Chuck. As late as 2007 they were still insisting that OoA ( as written - not as you wish to amend it) was conclusive.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/200...161829.htm

The research confirms the “Out Of Africa” hypothesis that all modern humans stem from a single group of Homo sapiens who emigrated from Africa 2,000 generations ago and spread throughout Eurasia over thousands of years. These settlers replaced other early humans (such as Neanderthals), rather than interbreeding with them.

OoA is the theory of a single common heritage for all of humanity. You can't chip away such a big piece of it and still say the theory remains intact. They must now revise their theory to account for the findings of the Neanderthal genome project which was released a mere two years later. No one held a gun to their heads and made them say that there was no interbreeding with HNS. That is a self-inflicted wound.