Exploring Human Ancestry: An Analysis of the 'Journey of Man' Video

This assignment provides answers to questions based on the 'Journey of Man' video, which explores human origins and migration patterns. It addresses why early Europeans were lightly pigmented compared to their African relatives, explaining the role of climate and isolation. The assignment also discusses Spencer Wells' assertion that Central Asia is the 'nursery of mankind,' highlighting the region's significance in human migration. Furthermore, it examines Wells' perspective on the lessons about relationships and old-fashioned concepts of race, emphasizing that all humans share a common African ancestry and that racial divisions are scientifically inaccurate. The analysis draws upon genetic data and archaeological evidence to support these conclusions.

Running head: JOURNEY OF A MAN 1
JOURNEY OF A MAN
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JOURNEY OF A MAN
1. Why were the early Europeans lightly-pigmented? (i.e. Whiter skinned than their African
relatives?
Human species migrated due to the increased population which led to innovation and
competition such as a change in diet, language acquisition, and change in the climate. This
led to the second group of hominids to leave Africa 4,500 years ago. According to Spencer,
the group reproduced fast and settled in the Middle East. The smaller waves moved to China
and India (Wells, 2017). The group that moved to Europe were isolated from the sea and the
mountains for many years. They were also exposed to more coldly climatic conditions and
less sunlight compared to those who remained in Africa. This made the Asians become pale
as time went. This is because they were not exposed to the harsh climatic conditions as the
Africans.
2. Why does Spencer Wells say that “If Africa is the cradle of mankind, then Central Asia is
its nursery”?
The second hominid left Africa 45,000 years ago and settled in middle Asia and the
wave reproduced at a faster rate. Around 4,000 years ago, the ice age became loose and
temperatures become warmer. This led to another migration into central Asia. Another group
left 35,000 ago from central Asia headed to Europe. Europe was relatively colder hence
making the group decided to stay there. The groups were isolated from others making them
paler and shorter compared to their African ancestors. Another wave of central Asians
migrated to into Siberia and Arctic Circle ("Central Asia - Nursery of Mankind", 2019). The

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group could not withstand the extreme cold conditions which made to minimize the exposure
by developing stout trunks, short arms, stubby fingers, and legs. Spencer collected blood
samples in the lone land of Kyrgyzstan of about 2000 persons. After looking at the contents
of the samples, he discovered that the blood had a remarkable secret ("We All Have Roots in
Africa: The Cradle of Humankind", 2019). He referred to it as an ancient maker. Spencer
found that every person in Europe was carrying it from Norway to Spain, Ireland to Austria.
The ancient European people would not have taken a direct path from Africa through the
Middle East but passed through central Asia. Research also revealed that the marks of the
ancient man were spread from Europe via Asia, Russia, north, and South
America. According to the genetic data of wells, the first group only had two or three men
which may sum up to ten to twenty people. They were also isolated and acquired distinct
physical features. Archaeologists believed that Australia, India, the Middle East, and China
had earlier inhabitants.
3. Near the end of the video, wells say, “We can all trace our ancestry back to those few
people that left Africa 50,000 years ago.” What does Wells say about lessons about
relationships and old-fashioned concepts of ‘race’:
The lesson about relationships: Spence said that everyone under the earth be it Americas,
Asians, native Indians are all Africans under the skin. According to spencer, we are all brother
separated by 2000 generations. According to the DNA analysis of wells, all human beings
originated from a single man who resided in Africa 60,000 years ago. 20,000 years ago there was
no single person in America and 40,000 years in Europe. Australia was not inhabited around
40,000 years ago and Africa was the only place with a living human species ("The Journey of

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Man", 2019). However, 600,000 years ago, the earth was in the middle of an ice age which
brought about a chilling effect which resulted in many adverse problems. The ice sheets made
the earth to have inadequate moisture which led to drought especially in Africa. There were
intense sunshine and hi9gh tropical attitudes with lower moisture which led to the migration of
Africa to other parts of the content in search of favorable climatic conditions and food.
Old-fashioned concept about race: according to spencer the old fashioned ideas about
race, not just socially divisive but wrong scientifically. When people understand this concept
about race then the conviction that the journey of the ancestors 50,000 years ago can be termed
as complete.

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References
Wells, S. (2017). The journey of man: A genetic odyssey (Vol. 51). Princeton University Press.
Central Asia - Nursery of Mankind. (2019). Retrieved 29 September 2019, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSLfTygI7AA
The Journey of Man. (2019). Retrieved 29 September 2019, from
https://press.princeton.edu/titles/10999.html
We All Have Roots In Africa: The Cradle of Humankind. (2019). Retrieved 29 September 2019,
from https://www.safari.com/travel-blog/the-cradle-of-humankind/