New Genetic Models Rewrite the Story of Human Origins in Africa

Recent genetic studies are challenging the notion of a single origin for modern humans, particularly in Africa. A 2020 study suggested a 'ghost species' contributed to the genetic makeup of some West African populations. However, more recent research, as explained by science communicator Zeke Darwin, indicates a more complex evolutionary model. This model, termed a 'braided stream,' accounts for population migrations and interbreeding throughout Africa's history. Darwin, in a recent TikTok video, emphasizes that these newer models make the 'ghost species' theory less relevant. John Hawks, a leading expert on human origins, has also published an article on this topic. The shift in understanding highlights the dynamic nature of human evolution and the ongoing refinement of genetic models.