Homo sapiens then left Africa and spread across the world between 150,000 and 100,000 years ago. The ANU researchers say that because Mungo Man is modern anatomically, yet has a vanished DNA line, it means at least one group of homo erectus's descendants evolved outside of Africa. As they are today, genes were flowing from Shanghai to Paris, from Singapore to Cape Town. DNA is a kind of genetic fingerprint unique to every individual that transmits hereditary characteristics. The ANU research says that Mungo Man's mitochondrial DNA contained different sequences of the four chemicals that form DNA to that which has been found in other remains.
Mitochondria are the energy packs within cells.
While the genetic footprint was different, ANU evolutionary genetecist Simon Easteal said Mungo Man would have looked very much like modern humans. Copyright 2000 Reuters Limited. Click here for restrictions. Stargazing Check out our telescopes and accessories.