Anthropology:We are All Africans by Pat Shipman - Essay Example

It is also essential since it tells about the origin of humans and it will help in determining the similarities in biological and physical characteristics of the beings in association with their area of origin. It will also help in determining the changes that have occurred in human beings from their time of existence.

3. 
   What specific evidence, facts, and/or examples did the author(s) offer to support their argument? 

Answer: The author presented an argument supporting the Out of Africa theory which states that today’s human beings evolved basically from Africa around 100,000 to 200,000 years back. A research was conducted by a group of researchers from the University of Maryland in 2003 in Tanzania. This is an area presenting a population with diverse phenotypic differences. The mitochondrial DNA was analyzed and the changes in their genes were kept constant the time for their evolution resulted in around 170000 years back which supported the fact of the Out of Africa theory. Two skulls were also discovered in Ethiopia which also upheld the fact that the period of development of today’s beings dates back to around 100000 to 200000 years.

4. 
   Did the author address any contrary evidence or the opinions/work of others that run counter the author(s) claims?

Answer: The author also presented the Multiregional theory which provides an explanation that human beings basically evolved from not just one location but modern human beings actually originated everywhere around the world and they spread and went distant apart which led to the development of different racial characteristics amongst them.  This hypothesis claims that the earliest remains of human beings will not be restricted to one area but will rather be found all around the world and that the recent human beings have evolved a long time back that is more than a million years back. The author then explained his arguments in favor of the Out of Africa hypothesis with strong evidence to support this theory above the Multiregional one.

5. 
   What were the strengths and/or weaknesses of the author(s) argument?

Answer: The strengths of the author’s arguments were that he provided with up to date research to support the hypothesis of Out of Africa. He proved the argument given by the Multiregional incorrect who claimed that Neandertals set the basis for the people of Europe today. To support his stand he presented with the research of Bertorelle that the genetics of the Neandertals differed significantly from the modern human beings and hence the European human origin was not basically through them. Thus the author provided his arguments and then supported each of them with perfect examples to make his stand clear. He also provided a second theory that stood against the Out of Africa Theory but then gave examples of how the Out of Africa theory had a stronger stand.

6. 
   What are your conclusions? Do you agree or disagree with the author? Why?

Answer: The current research provides a stronger side for the Out of African theory which can be concluded by keeping in mind the examples and research which strongly uphold the claim of this theory. Another important point that the author himself has mentioned is that theories can always be proved wrong but they can never be completely proved right. Research is done to uphold them but they can never be considered the ultimate final. Hence I agree with the author that the current updates hold the Out of Africa theory ahead but it does not mean that this theory has been chosen as the final one.