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Scientist challenges 'out of Africa' theory with new origin for modern humans READ MORE: Did fishermen in Taiwan discover a new species of ancient man? By MATTHEW PHELAN SENIOR SCIENCE REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM PUBLISHED: 22:29 GMT, 30 December 2024 | UPDATED: 22:29 GMT, 30 December 2024 An evolutionary biologist has challenged the long-held theory that suggests the first humans emerged from African. Dr Huan Shi, from China, proposed evolution began in East Asia where fossils predating the Africa timeline have been found. Evidence of genetic diversity is at the heart of his 'out of East Asia' theory, based on a concept called 'maximum genetic diversity' (MGD) that states complex species are more likely to have less genetic diversity. Dr Huang said that because East Asian populations have the least genetic diversity, they are likely to be the true ancestors. Ancient Europeans were also found to be much closer to East Asians, he argued, both in terms of their paternal and maternal genetic makeup. By this logic, the archeological finds of early humans with the most genetic similarities both to each other and to the wider, far-flung human race of today are the most likely candidates for the origin of the species, Dr Huang has contended. If the 'out of Africa' model were correct, the now recently retired biologist noted that the DNA from 45,000-year-old European specimens would more comprehensively match ancient African DNA. 'Ancient DNA [aDNA] from the oldest modern humans found in Europe, which was published this week,' Dr Huang said late this December, 'again showed closer similarity to Asians rather than Africans.'