There are several theories on the origin and evolution of modern humans: 1. The multiregional evolution theory proposes that human evolution occurred within the widespread Homo sapiens species over the past 1.8 million years. 2. The hybrid-origin theory suggests genetic variations between human races resulted from interbreeding between at least two hominin species until the emergence of Homo sapiens sapiens around 35,000 years ago. 3. Fossil and genetic evidence from specimens like the Lapedo Child and Mungo Man challenge the single origin hypothesis and indicate interbreeding between anatomically modern humans and other hominin groups in Eurasia.

1. Human Evolution The Origin of Modern Humans (Maybe)

2. Multiregional Evolution Theory • Since the Pleistocene (1.8 mil to 10,000 BP*) all human evolution has been within the wide-spread species Homo sapiens . • Based on fossil and genetic evidence • Opposite of the Single Origin Hypothesis/ Out of Africa Model *BP: before present. Present=1950 AD

3. Hybrid-Origin Theory • Some genetic variation between races is because of genetic inheritance from at least two hominid species until the evolution of modern Homo sapiens sapiens about 35 kya • Hybrid vigour means the offspring is superior to its parents because the different virtues are combined

4. About Neanderthals • Classified as either Homo neanderthalensis or Homo sapiens neanderthalensis • Fossil evidence dates as recently as 30 kya • Tools date as recently as 22 kya • Almost exclusively carnivorous

5. Lapedo Child • Found in Portugal • Given a ceremonial burial with pierced shell and red ochre • Was alive approximately 24.5 kya • Dental and pubic proportions say early modern human • Body proportions like leg bone length ratios say Neanderthal • Indicates mixture or ancestral pattern for late Pleistocene European humans • But the presence of a certain uniquely derived feature of Early Modern Humans refutes this • Dating and Burial style indicate child is the result of extensively admixing populations

6. Mungo Man • Lived about 40 kya, anatomically modern • Mitochondrial DNA shows he is not descended from “Eve” • A segment of his mtDNA is found in Nuclear Chromosome 11 of many people today • It challenges the idea that all humans are entirely descended from common ancestors who originated in Africa within the 200,000 years

7. Microcephalin • Condition that causes a tiny head, usually affects the brain in some ways as well • A derived form MCPH1 called Haplogroup D appeared about 37 kya • May have originated from a lineage which separated from Modern humans approximately 1.1 mya

8. PDHA1 on the X-chromosome • Originated about 1.86 mya • Division appeared about 200 kya, predating the earliest modern human fossils • Suggests transformation to modern humans occurred in a subdivided population

9. RRM2P4 on the X-chromosome • A gene tree of it revealed a most recent common ancestor is from about 2 mya • This gene present only in East Asia, resulting in higher nucleotide diversity in non-Africans than Africans • Supports interbreeding between anatomically modern humans and those of Eurasia

10. Are you sure you don’t have a little Neanderthal in you? Would you like to?