Abstract
In the last decade a large amount of new genetic data from human populations has appeared. The most informative of the new loci are STR (short tandem repeat) polymorphisms, because they are not subject to the ascertainment biases that affect classical markers and SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms). These loci show a marked diversity cline away from Africa, as they should if a version of the SOM (single origin model) is correct for our species. But the new data have not given us many insights into ancient population history and movements: they generally show that neighboring populations are similar to each other and that similarity declines with geographic distance. Much interesting human history has been blurred and erased by recurrent local gene flow. Other genetic and non-genetic markers, like language and physical appearance, may have better “memories” and tell us more about ancient populations movements and relationships.
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© 2000 Springer-Verlag Tokyo
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Harpending, H.C., Eller, E. (2000). Human Diversity and Its History. In: Kato, M. (eds) The Biology of Biodiversity. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-65930-3_20
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-65930-3_20
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