Abstract
AbstractA new model may contribute to resolve the origin problem of H. sapiens. According to our new viewpoint, Neandertals were neither one of our direct ancestors nor a different species. Their origin was not in Europe 150-200 or 300 thousand years ago. As for the origin of H. sapiens, it was neither in Africa roughly 2 million years ago nor roughly 200 thousand years ago. In other words, both the Multiregional model and the recent African origin model seem wrong. Our own species arose in the Middle East approximately 150 thousand years ago and split into two subspecies: Moderns and Neandertals. Rapid and radial expansion of H. sapiens from the origin implies a revolution (see Figure 1). Complex language, modern behavior and even adolescence phase plus chin might be included into the revolution. This possibility seems consistent with the data and could also be tested via; 1-the origin of complex language based on the modern human form of FOXP2 gene 2-the origin of adolescence or adolescent growth spurt 3- the genetic origin of the Flores hobbits. If all of these three origins appeared in the Levant about 150 thousand years ago then our model is true in all aspects. This speciation seems an unexpected revolution or macroevolution occured in several thousand years. The last pre-sapiens hominids may be extinct due to OIS 6 namely without replacement by sapiens.
Highlights
Is it true that Homo sapiens is anatomically modern humans only? When and where did they appear? Was the origin in Africa about 160 thousand years ago (White et al 2003) or not? Why have Neandertals been disappeared? Was it due to a replacement by modern humans or admixture? In other words, were they a subspecies of H. sapiens or a separate species? If this archaic-looking humans were a subspecies, what is the description of H. sapiens? the relationship between Neandertals and modern humans could not be resolved until now
Our model aiming to enlighten the origin problem of H. sapiens can contribute to the ongoing debate of gradual versus rapid speciation
The large differences between their mtDNA sequences and those of living Moderns could be explained via our model, based on the subspeciation of H. sapiens at the origin, and on a long isolation of Neandertal subspecies in Europe during 110 ka
Summary
Is it true that Homo sapiens is anatomically modern humans only? When and where did they appear? Was the origin in Africa about 160 thousand years (ka) ago (White et al 2003) or not? Why have Neandertals been disappeared? Was it due to a replacement by modern humans or admixture (assimilation)? In other words, were they a subspecies of H. sapiens or a separate species? If this archaic-looking humans were a subspecies, what is the description of H. sapiens? the relationship between Neandertals and modern humans could not be resolved until now. The large differences between their mtDNA sequences and those of living Moderns could be explained via our model, based on the subspeciation of H. sapiens at the origin, and on a long isolation of Neandertal subspecies in Europe during 110 ka.
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