Molecular anthropology

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Molecular anthropology is a field of anthropology in which genetic analysis is used to determine evolutionary links between ancient and modern populations, as well as between contemporary species.

By examining DNA sequences in different populations, molecular anthropologists can figure out how closely related those populations are. Certain similarities in genetic makeup let molecular anthropologists determine whether or not different groups of people belong to the same haplogroup, and thus if they share a common geographical origin. This is significant because it allows anthropologists to trace patterns of migration and settlement, which gives helpful insight as to how contemporary populations have formed and progressed over time.

Molecular anthropology has been extremely useful in establishing the connection between modern humans and other primates. While there are clearly many morphological similarities between humans and chimpanzees, for example, not many would have guessed that the two have roughly 98 percent of their DNA in common. Such information is useful in searching for common ancestors and coming to a better understanding of how humans evolved.

[edit] References

• Kottak, Conrad Phillip. Windows on Humanity. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005.