All of us literally walked out of Africa at one time ancestrally and the paths taken greatly affect who each of us are. Because I participated in the National Geographic DNA Genographic Project I got a report on both my Maternal and Paternal paths out of Africa which are greatly different . . .
In short Mom’s line came up through the Middle East, then Central Asia, and back down to Europe, while Dad’s line came out to the Middle East and turned left to go through the Mediterranean to Europe. More recently both their lines came from Europe to the United States. Those first paths did give some direction to the future lives of both family lines.
Mom’s Line through Middle East and Central Asia to Europe . . .
Dad’s Line through Middle East and Mediterranean to Europe . . .
And yes, most of that early history migration was on foot with some limited uses of animals for transportation. Today we have become so addicted to our chairs and cars that we forget about the significance of walking in our early history. Here is the larger overview graphic from my National Geographic DNA study:
In my more recent family research I found that both Paternal & Maternal families moved west after their arrivals from Europe to the Eastern U.S. and for many that was moving stuff in wagons or oxcarts with the people walking alongside the wagons or carts from Virginia to Georgia/Alabama or the other to Tennessee then both lines to Arkansas. That was a lot of walking! 🙂
And so, when I moved to Costa Rica to live without a car I took up the habits of my ancestral beginnings by walking everywhere I needed to go. It is life-changing and liberating! I thank God for the new simpler lifestyle with every step I take! 🙂
“It is in the roots, not the branches, that a tree’s greatest strength lies.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo
¡Pura Vida!
Related Links . . .
- In Their Footsteps: Human Migration Out of Africa – Nat Geo
- African origin of modern humans – Wikipedia
- Scientists Identify Unexpected Paths Our Ancestors Might Have Taken Out of Africa – Science Alert
- Early humans’ route out of Africa ‘confirmed’ – BBC News
- For pages on My Family History which are being updated from time to time.
- More walking links on my Hiking & Camping Page.
“Every man is a quotation from all his ancestors.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson