Roots of human family tree are shallow

[stephc]

Very interesting article / research

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060701/ap_on_sc/brotherhood_of_man

An article about research discussing the relatively recent origins of every human on earth. Despite the age of our species, every human on earth can trace their ancestry back to someone who may have lived as recently as the Golden Age of Greece (around 500 BC).


Its the sort of  mathematics I pondered on once
We all know we must have had ancestors back then
and that the population was smaller
and so we must have many common ancestors

[kerryb]

I guess on a small island like GB, we must be related to quite a lot of the population.

I don't know whether that is a nice thought or a really nightmarish thought!!!!

Kerry

[wheeldon]

I can believe it - most of us can only trace our ancestors back a relatively short space of time and I would imagine that most English researchers get an Irish ancestor somewhere etc.  If we were able to trace further back we would come across Normans, Italians (all roads lead to Rome) etc. 

My point is that most peoples ancestors would have probably originated from/emigrated to the most industrious places, if they could manage it.  As that is the art of survival.  It happened in the Industrial revolution and I would imagine that it was happening for many centuries before.

[kerryb]

I'm afraid that is one of the stock things I shout at the TV when I see these very racist people talking about keeping other nations out - All roads lead to Rome. 

If anyone can say they are pure English I will congratulate them!!

Kerry