multiregional evolution
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The multiregional evolution theory proposes that Homo sapiens evolved from discrete archaic populations of Homo in Africa, Asia, and Europe. These populations interbred with contemporaries from other areas, leading to gradual evolution across different regions. This contrasts with the "out of Africa" model, which suggests H. sapiens evolved solely in Africa and then migrated outwards, replacing existing hominin species with minimal interbreeding.12
The multiregional hypothesis posits that H. erectus evolved into H. sapiens multiple times in different regions, with each subspecies reaching a critical threshold. This theory is supported by the idea of gradual change and continuity between successive fossil forms. However, genetic data from modern populations largely supports the "out of Africa" model, indicating that all modern humans share the same potential and that distinct subspecies or races have no biological basis.21
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Homo sapiensBodily structureIn this so-called āmultiregionalā scenario, Australian Aboriginals are derived from Java man (i.e., Javanese H. erectus), modern Chinese from Peking man (Chinese H. erectus), todayās Europeans from the Neanderthals (H. neanderthalensis) with some admixture from Cro-Magnons, and so on.
Read MoreIn this so-called āmultiregionalā scenario, Australian Aboriginals are derived from Java man (i.e., Javanese H. erectus), modern Chinese from Peking man (Chinese H. erectus), todayās Europeans from the Neanderthals (H. neanderthalensis) with some admixture from Cro-Magnons, and so on.
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human evolutionThe emergence of Homo sapiensAt one extreme is multiregional evolution, or the regional continuity model. At the other is the African replacement, or āout of Africa,ā model. Intermediate are the African hybridization-and-replacement model and the assimilation model. All but the multiregional model maintain that H. sapiens evolved solely in Africa and then deployedā¦
Read MoreAt one extreme is multiregional evolution, or the regional continuity model. At the other is the African replacement, or āout of Africa,ā model. Intermediate are the African hybridization-and-replacement model and the assimilation model. All but the multiregional model maintain that H. sapiens evolved solely in Africa and then deployedā¦
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