Genetics and Human Evolution
Image: Wikiart
Scientific Breakthroughs
Technological breakthroughs across several fields give us an unparalleled opportunity to trace humanity’s evolution and movement in time—how we developed, differentiated and interbred many times, and arrived at our present planet-wide population.
Humans Were Not Alone Until Recently
Ancient genomes show definitively that our ancestors not only met but mated with Denisovans and Neanderthals—multiple times—between 100,000 and 40,000 years ago. This interbreeding conveyed genetic adaptations that improved our chances of survival.
Tracking Human Movement Across the Globe
Prior to our ability to analyze aDNA, we could only interpret ancient history from art and artefacts. This led experts to assume that the spread of ideas was the primary cause of change. Now we know that the primary cause was often due to interbreeding.
Biological Traits and the Fiction of Race
Ancient DNA has enabled scientists to understand how complex biological traits evolve over time. They can follow the complex evolution of skin pigmentation and traits such as blue eyes and height.
Scientific Breakthroughs
Technological breakthroughs across several fields give us an unparalleled opportunity to trace humanity’s evolution and movement in time—how we developed, differentiated and interbred many times, and arrived at our present planet-wide population.
Humans Were Not Alone Until Recently
Ancient genomes show definitively that our ancestors not only met but mated with Denisovans and Neanderthals—multiple times—between 100,000 and 40,000 years ago. This interbreeding conveyed genetic adaptations that improved our chances of survival.
Tracking Human Movement Across the Globe
Prior to our ability to analyze aDNA, we could only interpret ancient history from art and artefacts. This led experts to assume that the spread of ideas was the primary cause of change. Now we know that the primary cause was often due to interbreeding.
Biological Traits and the Fiction of Race
Ancient DNA has enabled scientists to understand how complex biological traits evolve over time. They can follow the complex evolution of skin pigmentation and traits such as blue eyes and height.
