Author:

Keywords:

Anagenesis versus cladogenesis, Anthropology, DIVERSITY, FOSSIL EVIDENCE, GENUS HOMO, HOMININ, JEBEL IRHOUD, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, MIDDLE PLEISTOCENE, MODERN HUMANS, Mosaic evolution, NEANDERTHAL, PALEOANTHROPOLOGY, pan-African hypothesis, punctuationism, Science & Technology, single-origin hypothesis, speciation of Homo sapiens, VARIABILITY, Animals, Biological Evolution, Biology, Fossils, Hominidae, Humans, Skull, 0603 Evolutionary Biology, 1601 Anthropology, 1607 Social Work, 2101 Archaeology, 3103 Ecology, 4301 Archaeology, 4401 Anthropology, 4404 Development studies, 4409 Social work

Abstract:

The scenario of Homo sapiens origin/s within Africa has become increasingly complex, with a pan-African perspective currently challenging the long-established single-origin hypothesis. In this paper, we review the lines of evidence employed in support of each model, highlighting inferential limitations and possible terminological misunderstandings. We argue that the metapopulation scenario envisaged by pan-African proponents well describes a mosaic diversification among late Middle Pleistocene groups. However, this does not rule out a major contribution that emerged from a single population where crucial derived features-notably, a globular braincase-appeared as the result of a punctuated, cladogenetic event. Thus, we suggest that a synthesis is possible and propose a scenario that, in our view, better reconciles with consolidated expectations in evolutionary theory. These indicate cladogenesis in allopatry as an ordinary pattern for the origin of a new species, particularly during phases of marked climatic and environmental instability.