| Aspect; |
Multi-regional
Hypothesis. |
Out-of-Africa
Hypothesis. |
| Geographic
patterning of human evolution |
Continuity
of pattern from middle Pleistocene to present. Interpopulation differences
high: greatest between each peripheral area. Intrapopulation variation
greatest at centre of human range. |
Continuity
of pattern only from later Pleistocene appearance of H. sapiens
to present. Interpopulation differences low: greatest between African
and non-African populations. Intrapopulation variation greatest
in African populations. |
| Regional
continuity and the establishment of Homo sapiens |
Transitional
fossils widespread. Modern regional characters of high antiquity
at peripheries. No consistent temporal pattern of appearance of
Homo sapiens. |
Transitional
fossils restricted to Africa, population replacement elsewhere.
Modern regional characters of low antiquity at peripheries (except
Africa). Phased establishment of Homo sapiens' suite of characters
in : a). Africa, b). southwest Asia, c ). other areas. |
| Selective
and behavioural factors involved in the origin of Homo sapiens. |
Factors
varied and widespread, perhaps related to technology, local behavioural
continuity expected. |
Factors
special and localized in Africa; behavioural discontinuities expected
outside Africa. |