Evolution of Modern Humans

There are two main theories regarding the origin of modern humans. The first theory suggests that pre modern humans evolved into modern humans prior to leaving Africa and then dispersed in different directions; this theory is called the “Out of Africa Theory”. The second theory suggests that pre modern humans left Africa and dispersed in different directions and evolved into modern humans, this is called the “multi regional theory”. I personally believe in the “out of Africa theory”. I feel there is more concrete evidence that supports the “out of Africa theory” rather than the multi regional theory”. It also seems to me that the “out of Africa theory” is more logical.

The out of Africa model suggests that modern humans evolved relatively recently in Africa, and they then migrated into Eurasia and replaced all the other populations that descended from Homo erectus. This theory is also suggesting that modern human variation is a recent phenomenon in relative terms. In addition, this theory suggests that modern humans migrated and replaced all other human populations with little or no interbreeding. About one hundred and thirty thousand years ago a body plan very similar to our modern anatomy had appeared. However, it should be understood that even though these early humans were very similar in their structure they were very different in the way that behaved. It seems that modern human anatomy existed before modern behavioral patterns. This seems very logical to me because modern behavior is extremely complex and would take more time to develop. The early sapiens had an anatomy that consisted of a cranial vault with a vertical forehead, with a rounded occipital space and a reduced brow ridge, they also had a reduced facial skeleton that lacked a projecting mid face, with a lower jaw supporting a chin, and a more modern built skeleton that wasn’t as vigorous. This anatomical evidence suggests that Neanderthals and early modern humans had been isolated from each other and evolved into two different species.

In addition to the anatomical evidence there is also archeological evidence. This archeological evidence shows that early Homo sapiens and Neanderthals were not very similar in anatomy but were archeologically similar. Early Homo sapiens from Africa had little variation in stone tool types, a lack of tools made of bone, antler and ivory, and burials that lacked signs of ritual or ceremony. In addition to this it seems that their hunting was limited to less dangerous species, along with their population being low. There was also a lack of decoration and art, and there fireplaces were basic. However this radically changed around forty to fifty thousand years ago. This seems to be when modern human behavior evolved. Due to this dramatic change there was a significant diversity in stone tool types, along with their artifacts being made of bone, antler, stone and ivory. They also had burials that had rituals and ceremonies involved. They had well designed fireplaces that were constructed, and hunting involved dangerous species along with fishing.