Human Migration & Ancestry Timeline
Journey of Modern Humans: 100,000 BCE to 1,500 CE
Out of Africa (70,000 BCE)
Modern humans (Homo sapiens) evolved in Africa ~300,000 years ago. Around 70,000-50,000 BCE, a successful migration out of Africa occurred via the southern route through Arabia. This population rapidly expanded along southern Asia's coasts, reaching Australia by ~65,000 BCE and Europe by ~45,000 BCE.
Hunter-Gatherer Lineages
As humans spread across continents, they adapted to local environments forming distinct genetic lineages: Western Hunter-Gatherers (WHG) in Europe, Eastern Hunter-Gatherers (EHG) in Russia, Ancient North Eurasians (ANE) in Siberia, and Caucasus Hunter-Gatherers (CHG) in the Caucasus Mountains. Each developed unique genetic signatures.
Neolithic Revolution (10,000 BCE)
The transition to agriculture began in the Fertile Crescent around 10,000 BCE. Farmers from Anatolia brought agriculture to Europe (~7,000 BCE), while Iranian farmers spread eastward into Central and South Asia. This revolution transformed human societies and genetic landscapes forever.
Steppe Migrations (3,300 BCE)
The Yamnaya culture emerged on the Pontic-Caspian Steppe ~3,300 BCE as mobile pastoralists. This population (50% EHG + 50% CHG) spread massively into Europe and Asia, bringing Indo-European languages and transforming the genetic makeup of millions. Their legacy is visible in modern populations from Ireland to India.
Key Ancestral Populations
Hunter-Gatherers
- WHG - Western European foragers with distinctive dark skin and light eyes
- EHG - Eastern European hunters with ~25% ANE ancestry
- ANE - Siberian 'ghost population' ancestral to Europeans and Native Americans
- CHG - Caucasus foragers, bridge between Europe and Near East
Neolithic Farmers
- Anatolian - Source of Europe's first farmers (LBK culture)
- Natufian - Levantine pre-farmers with high Basal Eurasian ancestry
- Iranian - Zagros farmers who spread to Central/South Asia
Bronze Age
- Yamnaya - Steppe pastoralists (EHG+CHG) who transformed Eurasia
- Corded Ware - Northern European culture (~75% Steppe)
- Sintashta - Chariot culture that migrated to South Asia
How to Use This Map
▸Click Play to watch migrations unfold chronologically from 100,000 BCE forward
▸Drag the timeline slider to jump to specific time periods
▸Use epoch buttons for quick navigation to major events
▸Hover over populations to see detailed information and time ranges
▸Drag the map to pan and scroll to zoom in/out
▸Watch migration arrows fade in/out as they become historically active