New research based on mitochondrial genes is suggesting that when mankind first left Africa, it did not move through the Levant, as previously thought, but across the lower Red Sea into southern Arabia. The report notes that ‘direct genetic evidence’ is thin on the ground. Physical evidence is even thinner as little exploration has been done – or been permitted to be done – until quite recently. I know that if I were a paleontologist, I’d be very interested in pursuing research in the area. Unfortunately, the current political situation in Yemen is not conducive to conducting that research. It should be possible, though, to look into southern Saudi Arabia, given the right partnerships with Saudi institutions.
Following Genetic Footprints out of Africa:
First Modern Humans Settled in ArabiaScienceDaily (Jan. 26, 2012) — A new study, using genetic analysis to look for clues about human migration over sixty thousand years ago, suggests that the first modern humans settled in Arabia on their way from the Horn of Africa to the rest of the world.
Led by the University of Leeds and the University of Porto in Portugal, the study is recently published in American Journal of Human Genetics and provides intriguing insight into the earliest stages of modern human migration, say the researchers.
“A major unanswered question regarding the dispersal of modern humans around the world concerns the geographical site of the first steps out of Africa,” explains Dr Luísa Pereira from the Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP). “One popular model predicts that the early stages of the dispersal took place across the Red Sea to southern Arabia, but direct genetic evidence has been thin on the ground.”
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January:30:2012 - 12:54
Surely the question that researchers should be pursuing is why there is absolutely no sign of the dispersal of the gene which holds the secret of Democratic Government within Arabia as a whole, with the singular exception of Israel.
January:30:2012 - 13:19
The ancient astronaut theorists would be more interested into when exactly our human DNA was manipulated by our ALIEN GOD|S to distinguish us only by nearly 2% from the animals or APES. Don’t know if that is a lefty or righty comment but it sounds good to me.
O.k. guilty of watching too many episodes of the HIstory channel’s Ancient Aliens series hahahaha
January:30:2012 - 14:33
@Mike Cunningham: I’m pretty sure there’s not a specific gene for democracy or representative government. That’s surely a meme, a culturally acquired and transmitted behavior pattern. I suspect that it was selected against where culture elevated the strong man and traditions of patron:client flourished.
January:31:2012 - 15:31
Not all Africans who enter Arabia are so pleased.
http://bikyamasr.com/55431/ethiopian-christians-arrested-in-saudi-women-strip-searched/
February:06:2012 - 05:44
70 years back, an indian scholar argued and analysed that Arabia is the cradle of first civilisation after researching painstakingly over world mythology.now it has came true.the book is written in English by Keralas great historian and scvholar KESARY BALAKRISHNAPILLAI>his theory called as ABP theory.the name of the book:OUTLINES OF THE PROTO HISTORIC CHRONOLOGY OF WESTERN ASIA. published by:publication division, UNIVERSITY OF KERALA< THIRUVANANTHAPURAM POST posted by, prof. m.a.rahman
February:06:2012 - 05:47
KESARY BALAKRISHNAPILLAIS ABP theory is an alternative way to fid out historical facts. now he proved it. thanks to genetic researchers.marahman228@yahoo.com
February:06:2012 - 05:51
The Sayyids from HADRAMOUTH came to kerala.adramouth is now in Yemen
. more research should be done at yeman and rubalkhali ubar and dhoffar.our historian refers rubalkhali, adh, iram and many other gulf areas.arab world should under take more research work.m.a.rahman