Contrast the multiregional continuity hypothesis with the out-of-Africa hypothesis for the evolution of Homo sapiens. (page 533 )

Short Answer

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The multiregional continuity hypothesis suggests that Homo sapiens evolved simultaneously in different parts of the world from archaic human populations, with continuous gene flow between them. In contrast, the out-of-Africa hypothesis proposes that Homo sapiens emerged in Africa and migrated outward, replacing other hominin populations. Key differences can be observed in genetic diversity, fossil evidence, archaeological evidence, and population replacement. The multiregional hypothesis expects similar genetic diversity across regions, while out-of-Africa predicts higher diversity in Africa. Fossil evidence in multiregional hypothesis supports regional continuity, while in out-of-Africa, it shows a clear progression from Africa. The multiregional hypothesis emphasizes local cultural complexity, while out-of-Africa highlights the sudden appearance of modern human culture. Lastly, the multiregional hypothesis assumes minimal population replacement, while the out-of-Africa hypothesis posits extensive replacement with limited genetic contribution from replaced populations.

Step by step solution

01

Introduction to multiregional continuity hypothesis

The multiregional continuity hypothesis posits that Homo sapiens evolved simultaneously in different parts of the world from archaic human populations, like Homo erectus, and that gene flow between these populations led to the emergence of modern humans as we know them. This idea emphasizes the importance of local adaptation during human evolution and suggests that there was continuous genetic exchange between regional populations.
02

Introduction to out-of-Africa hypothesis

On the other hand, the out-of-Africa hypothesis proposes that Homo sapiens emerged as a distinct species in Africa and then migrated outwards, replacing other hominin populations in different world regions. According to this hypothesis, modern humans are genetically more related to African populations of Homo sapiens than to other archaic human populations, like Neanderthals and Denisovans.
03

Comparison of key points from each hypothesis

To contrast these two hypotheses, we can examine their implications with respect to four key concepts: genetic diversity, fossil evidence, archaeological evidence, and population replacement.
04

Genetic Diversity

The multiregional hypothesis implies continuous gene flow between archaic human populations around the world, which would lead to similar levels of genetic diversity across geographical regions. In contrast, the out-of-Africa hypothesis predicts that African populations should exhibit the highest genetic diversity, as modern humans originated there and experienced genetic bottlenecks during migrations to other regions.
05

Fossil Evidence

The multiregional continuity hypothesis relies on the similarities between local archaic human fossils and modern human fossils to support the idea of regional continuity. The out-of-Africa hypothesis, however, is supported by fossil evidence showing a clear progression of anatomically modern Homo sapiens from Africa to other parts of the world, with little evidence of regional continuity between archaic humans and modern humans.
06

Archaeological Evidence

Both hypotheses consider the archaeological evidence supporting their positions. The multiregional hypothesis points towards increasing cultural complexity of local archaic human populations as evidence of continuous human evolution. The out-of-Africa hypothesis focuses on the sudden appearance of modern human culture in various world regions, attributed to the arrival of Homo sapiens migrants.
07

Population Replacement

A key difference between the two hypotheses is the importance placed on population replacement. The multiregional hypothesis assumes that population replacement between different human groups was minimal, and that most modern human traits emerged through gene flow and local adaptation. The out-of-Africa hypothesis, however, posits that modern humans replaced other hominin populations as they expanded, with genetic contribution from those populations being limited. By analyzing these key points, we can discern the major contrasts between the multiregional continuity hypothesis and the out-of-Africa hypothesis for the evolution of Homo sapiens.

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