Human Origins: Did We Begin in Africa?

In 1987, mitochondrial DNA evidence seemed to show that every person alive today could trace their maternal lineage back to a single woman who lived in Africa roughly 200,000 years ago. This "Mitochondrial Eve" finding electrified the field of paleoanthropology and appeared to confirm a simple, clean story: Homo sapiens evolved once in Africa, then spread across the globe, completely replacing all other forms of ancient humans. But as Professor Chris Stringer explains, that simple story has since been transformed by better fossils, more precise dating, and — most dramatically — the recovery of ancient DNA from Neanderthals and Denisovans. The result is a far richer, messier, and more honest picture of where we come from.

What "Anatomically Modern" Actually Means

Before diving into competing theories, Stringer clarifies what scientists mean when they talk about "anatomically modern humans." Strip away superficial features like skin color and hair, and look at the bones and teeth: a high, rounded braincase; a small or absent brow ridge; a small face tucked under the front of the skull; a narrow pelvis and shoulder girdle; and — crucially — a chin on the lower jaw. Even the tiny ear bones, visible only by CT scan, are distinct in Homo sapiens compared to Neanderthals.