Review: The Forgotten Exodus: The Into Africa Theory of Human Evolution

New discoveries concerning our human origins are always widely reported in the press. I find it completely fascinating since the new information can fill in the blanks in our knowledge and rewrite what we thought was our history.

The prevalent Out of Africa theory insists modern humans (Homo Sapiens Sapiens) emerged from Africa and colonized the planet. Other previous theories place modern humans developing in Asia or on sunken continents; however genetic research supports the current paradigm.

I’ll be the first to admit I am not an expert in genetics; I tend to refer to the experts on these subjects, less I wander off the beaten path and make a fool of myself. One part of the Out of Africa theory I have not yet found explained is: ‘where do the Neanderthals, Denisovans and the unnamed 4th hominin recently covered in the news fit in?’

In an attempt to answer this question, fellow researcher and author Bruce Fenton has produced “The forgotten Exodus: The Into Africa Theory of Human Evolution,” a 150-page ‘little’ book jammed packed with information in support of his theory. In a quick summary, Fenton’s research indicates Out of Africa events to Australasia starting about one million years ago. Due to the Ice Ages and other natural phenomena, these hominids became the Denisovans, the unknown 4th hominid and modern humans. Later migrations of their peoples brought modern humans out of Australasia to populate the planet. My summary is a broad generalization; Fenton backs up his theory with references to published papers.

Bruce Fenton asserts and explains a new, intriguing theory of our human origins, seeking to find where the last common ancestor to humans, Neanderthal, Denisovans lived. As I wrote previously, I do not consider myself competent to evaluate Fenton’s genetics research; however it is an interesting theory I hope some people will take the time to investigate it further.