Using DNA to Trace Human Migration

This tutorial describes how scientists determined that all living humans originated from populations in Africa. Some of these populations migrated out of Africa less than 100,000 years ago.

The Click & Learn introduces students to the genetic concepts and tools that scientists used to trace the migration routes and origins of modern human populations. In particular, it focuses on the use of genetic markers to identify small genetic differences among human populations throughout the world and reconstruct migration paths.

The accompanying worksheet guides students’ exploration.