Name: A family tree for humanity
Uploaded: 2008-08-18T01:00:00Z
Duration: 20 min 33 s
Description: All humans share some common bits of DNA, passed down to us from our African ancestors. Geneticist Spencer Wells talks about how his Genographic Project will use this shared DNA to figure out how we are -- in all our diversity -- truly connected.

All humans share some common bits of DNA, passed down to us from our African ancestors. Geneticist Spencer Wells talks about how his Genographic Project will use this shared DNA to figure out how we are -- in all our diversity -- truly connected.

Spencer Wells: A family tree for humanity

A family tree for humanity

Humanity's diversity and global spread were catalyzed by a brain evolution in Africa 60-70,000 years ago, sparking innovation.

DNA studies reveal a common African ancestry, tracing all human lineage back to a single woman within the last 200,000 years.

Genetic evidence suggests a critical human population bottleneck around 70,000 years ago, nearly driving humans to extinction.