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A review by jennybellium
Mapping Human History: Genes, Race, and Our Common Origins by Steve Olson
1.0
I purchased Mapping Human History: Genes, Race, and Our Common Origins thinking I'd found an in-depth discussion of the genetic aspect of the origin and spread of Homo. After all, it was a National Book Award Finalist, and a Discover Best Science Book of the Year. Ordinarily such accolades mean little to me, but in the case of a non-specialist who, I hoped, would have a new take on the issue, I appreciated the professional nod.
I'm sure it's no surprise from my introduction to say that I was terribly disappointed in this book. Aside from it's inane simplicity, it's years behind even my non-specialist's knowledge. Olson belabors the invalidation of the Multi-Regional theory in favor of the Out-of-Africa theory, simplifies mitochondrial research to the point of senselessness, and somehow finds it necessary to re-open the "there's no biological basis for race" argument.
Nevertheless, in the hundred-or-so pages I managed before becoming disgusted, I did learn some things. I'll start with an excellent quote from page three regarding the postulated lack of interbreeding between groups of early humans: "This conclusion seems totally at odds with our knowledge of human history, which shows that groups of people have eagerly interbred at almost every opportunity."
- Ju/'huoansi is the self-name of the group commonly known as the !Kung San. San is a term that can mean "untrustworthy".
- In contast to what I'd considered the intuitive response, new species are rapidly formed in the central territory of the parent species, rather than on the periphery. My own thinking involved the reproductive isolation of those groups on the outside, allowing them to slowly branch off. However, rethinking in the light of evidence did lead me to consider that those in the center of the territory have a greater need for a reproductive advantage, thus increasing selectivity and accelerating speciation.
- The "Bushmen" (also regarded as derogative term, but with nothing better available) have the oldest mitochondrial haplotypes in the world, making their territory the most likely origin point.
- Any person (historical figure or otherwise) who lived more than 1600 years ago and had a child and grandchild is almost certainly an ancester of almost everyone in the current population. Historical figures, such as kings and conquerers, are even more likely to be in this category because of their prolific progeny. So, you're almost all descended from Nefertiti, Confuscious, and Julius Caesar.
- It's been genetically found that 5-10% of the men noted on birth certificates are not the biological fathers. Nonpaternity is higher for the first and last born.
2006-07-13
I'm sure it's no surprise from my introduction to say that I was terribly disappointed in this book. Aside from it's inane simplicity, it's years behind even my non-specialist's knowledge. Olson belabors the invalidation of the Multi-Regional theory in favor of the Out-of-Africa theory, simplifies mitochondrial research to the point of senselessness, and somehow finds it necessary to re-open the "there's no biological basis for race" argument.
Nevertheless, in the hundred-or-so pages I managed before becoming disgusted, I did learn some things. I'll start with an excellent quote from page three regarding the postulated lack of interbreeding between groups of early humans: "This conclusion seems totally at odds with our knowledge of human history, which shows that groups of people have eagerly interbred at almost every opportunity."
- Ju/'huoansi is the self-name of the group commonly known as the !Kung San. San is a term that can mean "untrustworthy".
- In contast to what I'd considered the intuitive response, new species are rapidly formed in the central territory of the parent species, rather than on the periphery. My own thinking involved the reproductive isolation of those groups on the outside, allowing them to slowly branch off. However, rethinking in the light of evidence did lead me to consider that those in the center of the territory have a greater need for a reproductive advantage, thus increasing selectivity and accelerating speciation.
- The "Bushmen" (also regarded as derogative term, but with nothing better available) have the oldest mitochondrial haplotypes in the world, making their territory the most likely origin point.
- Any person (historical figure or otherwise) who lived more than 1600 years ago and had a child and grandchild is almost certainly an ancester of almost everyone in the current population. Historical figures, such as kings and conquerers, are even more likely to be in this category because of their prolific progeny. So, you're almost all descended from Nefertiti, Confuscious, and Julius Caesar.
- It's been genetically found that 5-10% of the men noted on birth certificates are not the biological fathers. Nonpaternity is higher for the first and last born.
2006-07-13