News Humans

Humans’ maternal ancestors may have arisen 200,000 years ago in southern Africa

But new DNA findings don’t offer a complete picture of how and when Homo sapiens emerged

San hunter gatherers

Members of southern African foraging groups, like these San hunters, possess DNA indicating that their maternal roots go back around 200,000 years to an area of what’s now northern Botswana, researchers say.

topofmind/iStock/Getty Images Plus

By Bruce Bower

- More than 2 years ago

Humankind’s maternal roots extend back about 200,000 years to what was then a lush region of southern Africa, a study suggests.