out of africa versus multiregional method

Where did modern humans first evolve according to the Out of Africa Theory?

In Africa, about 200,000 years ago

Where did modern humans first evolve according to the Multiregional Hypothesis?

In multiple regions (Africa, Asia, Europe) from earlier Homo erectus populations.

What genetic evidence supports the Out of Africa Theory?

Greatest mtDNA and Y-chromosome diversity in Africa. Non-African DNA is a subset of African DNA, suggesting a single origin.

What genetic evidence supports the Multiregional Hypothesis?

Suggests continuous gene flow between regions; predicts more genetic differences than we actually see.

What fossil evidence supports the Out of Africa Theory?

Oldest Homo sapiens fossils found in Africa.
Fossils outside Africa are younger, suggesting later migration.

What fossil evidence supports the Multiregional Hypothesis?

Regional continuity: traits in ancient fossils match traits in modern regional populations

What archaeological evidence supports the Out of Africa Theory?

Earliest sophisticated tools, art, and symbolic behavior found in Africa; later spread to Eurasia.

What archaeological evidence supports the Multiregional Hypothesis?

cultural and technological traits could have developed independently in each region

What is the key idea of the Out of Africa Theory?

Replacement model: Modern humans evolved in Africa, then spread and replaced earlier species.

What is the key idea of the Multiregional Hypothesis?

Continuity model: Humans evolved in several regions from Homo erectus, maintained by gene flow.