28. Explain the diffusionism/ Out of Africa hypothesis

The Out of Africa Hypothesis states that the ancestral population of all living people was a small, isolated group that migrated from Africa to different regions of the world, replacing the native populations as they spread and proved themselves superior and more proficient.

However, this is not the only theory that explains where we originated. The Multiregional Hypothesis proposes that many different types of early humans evolved in Africa, Europe, and Asia during the same time frame, resulting in some interbreeding. The support for this theory includes minor anatomical similarities between modern humans and previous populations of H. Erectus in the same regions.

Though the Multiregional Hypothesis has reasonable support, the Out of Africa Hypothesis also has evidence that supports its theory. Using molecular biology, we can determine the mutation rate of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA in living human cells of populations that live outside of Africa. This research has revealed dates of 200,000 years ago, which proves too young for the Multiregional Hypothesis, and rendering it less credible. Similar molecular methods have also implied that all modern humans came from an African origin, further validating the Out of Africa Hypothesis.

Sources: "Signs of Creation.com." Signs of Creation.com. Web. 25 Oct. 2014. <http://www.signsofcreation.com/darwinismwatch04.htm>. Lab Manual pages 27-28

Sara Lichtarge