The picture of early-human origins in Africa grows more complex
The Washington Post reports: For decades, scientists who studied early modern humans believed that our ancestors initially inhabited only small areas of Africa, the savannas of the eastern and southern part of the continent, and then moved north into Asia, Europe and beyond. In this view, early humans bypassed West and Central Africa, especially tropical forests. These areas, the argument went, were populated much later. But now, a growing group of researchers has cast doubt on this narrative. Working in…