Where Are Your Ancestors Actually From?
Where Are Your Ancestors Actually From?
There is no sure way to track genealogy without a proper DNA test, but many commonplace clues can give us an idea of where our ancestors came from and what part of the world brought our family trees into being.
There is no sure way to track genealogy without a proper DNA test, but many commonplace clues can give us an idea of where our ancestors came from and what part of the world brought our family trees into being.
When you have to fill out one of those hilariously narrow-minded government forms, which option do you select?
Which of these is closest to your skin tone?
Which of these reflects your mother's heritage? (North America would imply Native American Heritage)
Which of these reflects your father's heritage?
(North America would imply Native American Heritage)
Are the men in your genetic family short, tall, or of average height?
Does red hair occur naturally within your family?
Do blue eyes occur regularly within your genetic family?
Which of these face shapes is most common within your genetic family?
North American Ancestry
North American Ancestry
Your ancient ancestors more than likely hail from North America! A long time ago, the Bering Strait (the area between Russia and Alaska) formed a land/ice bridge that allowed ancient humans to cross onto the North American continent over 16,000 years ago. These ancient humans would have originated from the melting pot that was prehistoric Asia - where Neanderthals, Denisovans, and Homo Sapiens (modern humans) all interbred before branching outward. Many groups of these ancient humans traveled east across the Bering land/ice bridge (some even journeying across the Pacific) and continued southward - expanding into native populations all across North, Central, and South America that would eventually blossom into Native Americans, Mayans, Aztecs, Norte Chicos, you name it! Pretty amazing, right?
European Ancestry
European Ancestry
More than likely, your ancient ancestors came from Europe! Ancient humans arrived in Europe around 40,000 years ago, and colonized a vast array of territories. The climate and terrain of Europe is much different than where humans originally ventured forth from out of Africa. Moving away from the equator meant colder weather and much gentler sunlight, creating many adaptations in humans of this area including fairer hair, skin and stalkier (heat-conserving) frames. Our own modern DNA tells us that both modern humans (homo sapiens) and Neanderthals called Europe home for a long period of time, and did quite a bit of interbreeding within this area. Many great ancient cultures developed from these prehistoric people, such as Greco-Roman, Norse, Celtic, Germanic, among many others!
Asian Ancestry
Asian Ancestry
More than likely, your ancient ancestors hailed from Asia! In many ways, the Asian continent served as a springboard for the human race after the initial journey out of Africa. We believe our ancient ancestors arrived in Asia over 60,000 years ago - marking it as the oldest home to humanity outside of Africa. This densely populated continent has always been so, and (as far as we can tell) was one of the first real melting-pots for humanity. Several species of humans lived side by side and even interbred in ancient Asia, including modern humans (homo sapiens), Neanderthals, and the Denisovans - all of which contributed their DNA directly to your ancestors! Much of the world owes its heritage to the incredible human history of Asia!
African Ancestry
African Ancestry
Your ancestors came from the cradle of life, Africa! All other results begin with "more than likely", but our understanding of human history places the origins of every modern human on the planet within the incredible continent of Africa without a doubt, so we can say this with quite a bit of confidence! Human evolution took place over hundreds of thousands of years, but at some point around 70-65,000 years ago humans beings got really, really curious and began to populate the entire African continent. As populations increased and climates changed (among many other factors) humans eventually ventured North out of Africa to populate the rest of the planet. We all come from the same place, but you may have much more modern ties to the mother continent than most!