03/25/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/25/2024 06:28
A new study combining genetic, palaeoecological, and archaeological evidence has unveiled the Persian plateau as a pivotal geographic location serving as a hub for Homo sapiensduring the early stages of their migration out of Africa.
Pebdeh Cave excavation in the southern Zagros Mountains. Pebdeh was occupied by hunter-gatherers as early as 42,000 years ago. Photo: Mohammad Javad ShoaeeThis study sheds new light on the complex journey of human populations, challenging previous understandings of our species' expansion into Eurasia.
The study, published in Nature Communications, highlights a period between 70,000 to 45,000 years ago when human populations did not uniformly spread across Eurasia, leaving a gap in our understanding of their whereabouts during this time frame.
Key findings from the research include:
differentiation in the area, compatible with the hub nature of the region, and is ancestral to the genetic components already known to have inhabited the plateau.
Study co-author Professor Michael Petraglia, Director of Griffith University's Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution, said the findings painted a much clearer picture of these early human movements.
"Our multidisciplinary study provides a more coherent view of the ancient past, offering insights into the critical period between the Out of Africa expansion and the differentiation of Eurasian populations," Professor Petraglia said.
Riverine landscape in the southern Zagros region providing fresh water resources for Homo sapiens populations. Photo: Mohammad Javad Shoaee"The Persian plateau emerges as a key region, underlining the need for further archaeological explorations."
First author Leonardo Vallini of the University of Padova, Italy, said: "The discovery elucidates a 20,000-year-long portion of the history of Homo sapiensoutside of Africa, a timeframe during which we interacted with Neanderthalpopulations, and sheds light on the relationships between various Eurasian populations, providing crucial clues for understanding the demographic history of our species across Europe, East Asia, and Oceania."
Senior author, Professor Luca Pagani added: "The revelation of the Persian plateau as a hub for early human migration opens new doors for archaeological exploration, enriching our understanding of our species' journey across continents and highlighting this region's pivotal role in shaping human history."
The study 'The Persian Plateau served as Hub for Homo sapiens after the main Out of Africa dispersal'has been published in Nature Communications.