|
|
Re: Question on Human Origins
JOHN LANGDON (LANGDON@GANDLF.UINDY.EDU)
Fri, 21 Apr 1995 09:46:07 -0400
In message Maia Lynch writes:
> My question concerns the debate that was brought up during the
> 3rd International Congress on Human Paleontology, during the summer of
> '92, discussing Coon's theory of Regional Continuity explained in his
> "Origin of the Races." Apparently the discussion led to the demise of
> the major opposing "Eve Hypothesis."
>
> I understand that Coon had less fossil evidence to work with, and with
> that a few theories were proven wrong with recent fossil findings (ie:
> his theory that the Mongoloid race was the first to reach sapiency.)
> Nevertheless, I know little about these two theories, the debate that
> existed over the two, and the outcome, if there ever was one. I would
> appreciate it very much if someone could enlighten me on this issue.
>
The debate is certainly far from resolved. There have been published debates
with both sides represented in Scientific American and American Anthropologist
in the past few years. Despite many more genetic studies seeming to support an
Eve-like model, the data is no more conclusive now than then. However, my sense
is that the consensus lies on the spectrum in between the two extremes, leaning
more toward a replacement than a continuity model. Science magazine reported
from the last AAAS meeting (a Jan issue?) on latest findings that seem to
support a more recent date of 100,000+ for the dispersal. I find intriguing the
works of Harpending and Sarich who independently argue for a much more recent
origin of modern diversity (roughly 60,000 - 90,000 and 15,000 respectively). If
either of them is right, the Eve approach is a red herring and the continuity
model is simply irrelevant. I can give you more specific references if you want
them.
JOHN H. LANGDON email LANGDON@GANDLF.UINDY.EDU
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY FAX (317) 788-3569
UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS PHONE (317) 788-3447
INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46227
|