The origin and future of modern humans

Abstract

Earlier this year, we published an article describing an exciting hypothesis that explains how two important observations, that on the surface appear incompatible, come together to provide insight into the evolution of modern man. Recent evidence demonstrates that modern humans share some genomic DNA with Neanderthals, yet decade-old analyses clearly demonstrate that modern human and the ancient hominid share zero mitochondrial DNA. To reconcile these apparently paradoxical discoveries, Australian anthropologist duo Paul H. Mason and Roger V. Short describe the type of mating patterns and offspring success rates that might have occurred between Neanderthal and premodern humans tens of thousands of years ago. Their article captured the attention of the popular science media and garnered the most views of any article in Volume 9. We consulted Tatjana Schmidt-Derstroff to gain an independent perspective on their theory. As a veteran archaeologist who spent 27 years living amongst the Australian aboriginals, Schmidt-Derstroff has collected some of the world’s finest photographs of ancient human cave engravings and petroglyphs and has deep insight into their modern and ancient way of life.