An international group of anthropologists has questioned the established idea that the first Homo sapiens left Africa along the eastern coast of the continent. Humanity's journey may have started in the south, off the coast of present-day South Africa. The study was published in the journal Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa (TRSSA).
Scientists believe that around 70,000 years ago, small groups of people began to leave the southern coast and move along the eastern coast of the continent. Between 50,000 and 40,000 years ago, they crossed the Red Sea and reached the Arabian Peninsula, from where they later spread throughout Eurasia.
"The climate, resources, and technological development of southern African communities at the time created ideal conditions for the beginning of global human migration," the authors noted.
The hypothesis is based on data from the earliest human settlements in the Southern Cape region. The Pinnacle Point cave complex and other UNESCO World Heritage sites contain rich evidence of the development of modern human behavior dating back 162,000 years.
It was here that ancient people first began to actively exploit the abundance of the sea, gathering crustaceans and fish that provided a steady food supply even during dry periods. This may have given it an evolutionary advantage over land-based populations that depended on hunting and gathering.
Scientists have also noted the important role of the invention of the bow and arrow, which allowed the people of this region to obtain food and defend themselves more effectively.
During the Ice Age, sea levels fell, exposing the vast coastal plains of southern Africa, rich in food and fresh water. It was during this time that our ancestors probably developed the seafaring culture and skills that would enable them to navigate the coastline in the future.
"People on the Southern Cape even survived the eruption of the Toba volcano 74,000 years ago, which caused global cooling, and continued their cultural development, a fact that distinguishes them from other early human populations," the researchers concluded.
According to the researchers, population growth, competition for resources and climate change were the main drivers of migration. The coastal road was the safest and most convenient. it provided access to food, fresh water, a mild climate, and fewer large predators.
Translation by Euromedia24.com
