Monogenesis

Monogenesis refers to the theory that all human beings descended from a single pair of ancestors. This concept is often contrasted with polygenesis, the theory that human races have different origins. Monogenesis is also known as the Single-Origin Hypothesis or the Out of Africa Theory in the field of human evolution.

History

The concept of monogenesis has roots in many religious and philosophical traditions. In Christianity, the Book of Genesis describes Adam and Eve as the first humans, from whom all others descended. This belief is also found in Islam and Judaism, among other religions.

In the 19th century, monogenesis was a contentious issue in the scientific community. Some scientists, such as Charles Darwin, supported the theory, while others advocated for polygenesis. The debate was often tied to discussions about race, human rights, and slavery.

Modern Views

Today, most scientists support a form of monogenesis known as the "Out of Africa" theory. This theory, based on genetic and fossil evidence, posits that all modern humans originated from a single population in Africa around 200,000 years ago. From there, humans migrated to other parts of the world.

However, the theory does not suggest that there was only one "Adam" and one "Eve." Instead, it proposes that all humans share a common female ancestor (known as Mitochondrial Eve) and a common male ancestor (known as Y-chromosomal Adam).

See Also

• Polygenesis
• Out of Africa theory
• Mitochondrial Eve
• Y-chromosomal Adam