New Findings Question the Validity of the ‘Out of Africa’ Theory

By: Chris Gorrie | Last updated: Mar 08, 2024

Discourse surrounding the out-of-Africa migration has recently undergone a paradigm shift.

In recent years, talented researchers from across the globe have made concerted efforts that have yielded a new perspective on early human migration patterns.

Revelations Based on Fossilized Bones and Tools

Scientists from the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma and experts from Israel institutions have made interesting conclusions regarding fossilized bone and tool samples found in Israel and Georgia. 

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Stone-age flint tools on display under glass in a museum.

Rodhullandemu/Wikimedia Commons

These revelations have ushered in a new era of understanding about the nature of human dispersal from the African continent.

Ubeidiya, an Archaeological Treasure Trove

One pivotal site in this reevaluation is Ubeidiya, situated in proximity to the southern edge of the Sea of Galilee near Kibbutz Beit Zera.

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1957 black-and-white photo of the Ubeidiya archaeological site prior to first excavations.

National Library of Israel/Wikimedia Commons

Dated to approximately 1.5 million years ago, Ubeidiya stands as one of the earliest prehistoric archaeological sites discovered outside of Africa.

Ubeidiya was Originally Excavated in the 1960s

In the early 1960s, Israeli prehistorians meticulously unearthed a treasure trove of artifacts, including rich stone tool assemblages utilized by early humans. 

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A Saber Tooth Cat skeleton on display at the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, California.

Bill Abbott/Wikimedia Commons

Among the findings were the remains of various extinct species, such as Saber Tooth Cats and Mammoths, alongside unexpected ones like hippos, rhinos, and large crocodiles not typically associated with the region.

Miriam Belmaker Studies Ancient Climate and Animals at Ubeidiya

The significance of Ubeidiya gained renewed attention in 2018 when Miriam Belmaker secured a National Science Foundation grant to delve into the ancient climate of the site and refine its dating. 

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A human vertebra sitting on a gray background.

MAKY.OREL/Wikimedia Commons

While examining animal bones from the site, Belmaker stumbled upon a fossilized vertebra exhibiting human-like features, initially excavated in 1966.

Analyzing Discovered Vertebra

Collaborating with a team of scientists, Belmaker scrutinized this vertebra, unraveling crucial insights.

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A researcher in a white lab coat and latex gloves is working in a laboratory, facing away from the viewer. There is equipment and many labeled bottles on shelves in front of them.

National Cancer Institute/Wikimedia Commons

Firstly, the vertebra belonged to a child, evident from its shape and incomplete growth. 

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Vertebra Belongs to a Child

Had this individual reached adulthood, estimates suggest a stature of approximately 1.8 meters (5 feet 10 inches) and a weight around 90 kilograms (190 pounds). 

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A 3D-rendered image of two early hominid silhouettes, ostensibly a child and adult, walking together under the night sky.

Hubble Space Telescope/Wikimedia Commons

Notably, these figures align more with large-bodied hominids from Africa during a similar period than with the smaller-bodied hominids discovered at the Dmanisi site in Georgia.

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Evidence of Two Coexisting Human Species

The second significant revelation challenges previous notions: evidence of two distinct human species coexisting during the Lower Pleistocene outside of Africa.

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Two early humans hiding behind a bush with spears watching what is possibly a glyptodont, or extinct, large armadillo, pass by.

Heinrich Harder/Wikimedia Commons

This finding adds complexity to the understanding of early human migration and suggests a more intricate narrative than previously envisioned.

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Was Out-of-Africa Migration a Singular Event or Reoccurring?

The debate over the out-of-Africa migration has long revolved around whether it was a singular event or occurred in multiple instances

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A map showing the older understanding of human migration out of Africa.

Ephert/Wikimedia Commons

The emerging data supports the latter, indicating that early hominids embarked on at least two migrations, each characterized by unique traits. The divergence between the Dmanisi site’s population and that of Ubeidiya in terms of size, shape, stone tool technology, and ecological context reinforces the notion of multiple migration waves.

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Differences Discovered in Stone Manufacturing Techniques

Dr. Omry Barzilai of the Israel Antiquities Authority, analyzing the stone artifacts from both sites, discerned differences in stone manufacturing techniques and tools. 

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Stone tools in a row on display in a museum.

Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D./Wikimedia Commons

These distinctions further underline the notion that each migration wave introduced a new hominid population with its distinct stone-making tradition. This not only reflects their cognitive abilities but also provides insights into their preferences regarding ecological niches and habitats.

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New Genetic Study Alters Understanding of Human Evolution

Research published in Nature  also suggests a complex origin story for humans, with our ancestors emerging at different times and locations across Africa. 

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A museum display featuring a chronological series of human skulls representing different stages of human evolution

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Contrary to previous beliefs that humans originated from a single point, this study indicates a more distributed evolutionary process. Scientists analyzed the genomes of 290 people, which led them to conclude that humans descended from multiple populations in Africa.

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Diverse Ancestral Lineages Identified in Human DNA

The New York Times reports that the genetic analysis revealed that our predecessors belonged to at least two distinct populations within Africa. 

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A sweeping landscape view of Blyde River Canyon with its meandering river below, showcasing lush greenery, towering cliffs, and flat-topped mountains

Source: Lina Loos/Unsplash

These groups coexisted and evolved separately for a million years before eventually merging. This intricate evolutionary background challenges the simple narrative of a singular human origin and highlights the continent’s significant role in our species’ history.

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Challenging the Single-Origin Hypothesis

Eleanor Scerri, an evolutionary archaeologist at the Max Planck Institute for Geoarchaeology, stated, “There is no single birthplace” regarding human origins. 

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An assortment of fossilized ancient hominid skulls, jaws, and teeth fragments displayed against a black background

Source: Wikimedia Commons

This new evidence negates the previous consensus of a single African cradle of humanity, suggesting a more fragmented inception of modern humans across the continent.

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Genetic Diversity Points to African Origins

The research illustrates Africa’s importance in human evolution, evident from the continent’s vast genetic diversity

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An African elephant stands on the grassy savannah, reaching up with its trunk to feed from the branches of a lone tree with a lush green canopy

Source: Harshil Gudka/Unsplash

This diversity is a key indicator of Africa’s role as the primary stage for human evolutionary history. Africans’ varied genetic makeup compared to other populations speaks volumes about the continent’s long and complex involvement in human development.

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Archaeological and Genetic Evidence Support African Heritage

Africa’s prominence in human evolution is supported by both archaeological finds and genetic data. 

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An image of a dark brown ancient stone tool with chipped edges and a smooth surface

Source: Wikimedia Commons

The continent is home to the oldest known human fossils and artifacts, alongside a rich genetic diversity that underscores its central role in our ancestral story. This combination of evidence firmly places Africa at the heart of human evolutionary research.

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Analyzing Genetic Intersections Among African Populations

The study examined DNA from various African groups, including the Mende, Gumuz, Amhara, and Nama, to understand their genetic relationships. 

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A group of Ethiopian musicians dressed in white traditional clothing and turbans, playing long wooden trumpets at a cultural event

Source: Wikimedia Commons

By comparing their genomes with those of other world populations and ancient hominids like Neanderthals, researchers could glean insights into the complex web of human ancestry and migration.

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Linking Human and Neanderthal Evolutionary Paths

The research also explored the genetic connections between modern humans and Neanderthals, finding a shared ancestor that lived 600,000 years ago. 

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A hyper-realistic model of an ancient human ancestor with pale skin and long, gray hair. The figure has deep-set eyes, a prominent nose, and a long beard

Source: Wikimedia Commons

This link provides a deeper understanding of the evolutionary dynamics and interactions between different human lineages, further complicating our species’ backstory.

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Diverse Human Lineages and Their Historical Interactions

The concept of two separate human lineages, Stem1 and Stem2, emerging and evolving in Africa introduces a nuanced perspective on human evolution. 

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An archaeological photo of a fragmented hominid skull partially embedded in soil, showing the left side of the cranium, eye socket, and upper teeth

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Their occasional interbreeding and genetic mixing highlight a complex network of human ancestry, contrasting with simpler evolutionary models.

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Significant Mergers in Human Prehistory

Around 120,000 years ago, the merging of Stem1 and Stem2 populations in southern Africa marked a crucial evolutionary event. 

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Four elongated ancient bone tools are presented side by side with clear markings indicated by arrows

Source: Wikimedia Commons

This and other similar mergers across the continent played vital roles in shaping the genetic landscape of modern humans, indicating a series of interconnected human histories rather than isolated events.

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Environmental Influences on Human Evolution

The study suggests that environmental changes could have driven these distinct populations to converge and interbreed. 

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A serene sunrise casting a warm golden glow over the African savannah, with silhouettes of acacia trees scattered across the landscape

Source: Magdalena Kula Manchee/Unsplash

Fluctuating climates and shifting landscapes likely pressured groups to migrate and interact, facilitating the genetic exchanges that would define our species’ evolutionary trajectory.

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Continuing the Search for Our Ancestors

Researchers like Brenna Henn are expanding this genetic analysis by incorporating more African genomes, which may reveal additional layers of human history. 

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Close-up view of a fossilized hominid skull displaying prominent brow ridges, deep eye sockets, and a weathered surface

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Each new finding can refine our understanding of how diverse populations contributed to the evolutionary process, highlighting the complexity and richness of our species’ origins.

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Genetic Diversity: A Key to Human Survival

The research hints at the possibility that the genetic diversity stemming from our fragmented early history was crucial for human survival and adaptation. 

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Black and white image capturing a dense assembly of people from an elevated perspective

Source: Rob Curran/Unsplash

By maintaining a broad genetic base, our ancestors may have had the resilience to withstand environmental shifts and challenges, enabling the enduring success of Homo sapiens across the globe.

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Archaeology Constantly Updates Our Picture of Prehistory

The multifaceted nature of these migration waves challenges previous assumptions about the homogeneity of early human populations outside of Africa.

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People working together on a hillside during an archaeological dig. They have special tools and buckets and are carefully digging and sifting through the dirt.

Axel Hindemith/Wikimedia Commons

Instead, it paints a nuanced picture of diverse human species navigating and adapting to varied environments during their dispersal. The implications of these findings extend beyond the realm of archaeology, reaching into the realms of paleoanthropology, ecology, and cognitive science.

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A Dynamic Interplay of Environment, Diversity, and Culture

In essence, the reevaluation of the out-of-Africa theory through the lens of Ubeidiya highlights the unfolding intricacy of human evolution.

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A recreation of a hominid male wearing a fur coat and holding a hunting tool.

Jakub Hałun/Wikimedia Commons

It suggests a dynamic interplay between environmental factors, species diversity, and cultural practices, shaping the course of human history outside of Africa. As researchers continue to dive deeper into their excavations of these ancient sites, the story of human migration becomes an even more complex story of resilience and adaptation.

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