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2005
By studying the different mutations that occur in different people
it is possible to draw up a 'phylogenetic tree' to show how
the various races of mankind have developed over the past 100,000 years.
The starting point for the tree has been given the name 'mitochondial Eve'
- implying that all mankind has developed from the sequence of just one female
who lived maybe 100 - 200,000 years ago.
The actual sequence for this woman is not known, but it can be inferred,
as coming between that of the 'great apes' and all modern day people.
The various branches of the tree form the different HAPLOGROUPS
and these are identifed by different letters.
Most haplogroups are very small and show that over the millenia most
groups of people have almost died out - and the present world
population comes from just a few groups.
For example most people in Europe and North America are in group H.
The following pages give details of the different haplogroups.