Cambridge Study Reveals Dual Ancestry of Humans

New research from the University of Cambridge reveals that modern humans (Homo sapiens) descended from two distinct ancestral groups rather than a single lineage. This groundbreaking study, published in Nature Genetics, indicates that these groups, labeled as Group A and Group B, diverged approximately 1.5 million years ago and later reunited around 300,000 years ago to form the genetic basis of modern humans. Group A contributed roughly 80% and Group B about 20% to the genetic makeup of contemporary humans. The discovery was made through analysis of modern human DNA from the 1000 Genomes Project rather than ancient bones, offering a more complex understanding of human evolution. The study provides a new perspective on human origins, suggesting that both groups likely originated in Africa, although the exact location of their reunification remains speculative. This finding challenges the long-held belief that Homo sapiens evolved from a single continuous lineage.