The Sentinelese are believed to have been isolated since the last major human migration out of Africa 60 to 70 thousand years ago. Their isolation has preserved unique genetic traits. The Sentinelese are related to other indigenous peoples of the Andaman Islands, such as the Onge, Jarwa, and Great Andamanese. Studies on these groups indicate that they have some of the earliest genetic markers found in Asia. The genetic diversity among the Andamanese tribes, including the Sentinelese, is thought to be low due to their small population sizes and long-term isolation. Due to their isolation, the Sentinelese lack immunity to common diseases found elsewhere–a significant concern.
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1 WWB Story Tidbit
Timeless ideas at the intersections of science, philosophy, critical thinking, and history.
MODE:
1
Full Tidbit.
A History Story.
From History:
Subject: DNA.
70,000 BCE
circa 60 to 70 thousand BCE
The Sentinelese show that the modern human brain was fully evolved by at least 50,000 years ago.
The central point is this.
Extreme isolation preserves history—but it also creates vulnerability. The Sentinelese remind us that human populations evolved under vastly different conditions, and immunity is not universal. From a scientific standpoint, their existence proves modern human intelligence is at least 50,000 years old.
Now, the details…
That History Story,
was first published on TST 2 years ago.
By the way, the flashcard inspired by it is this.
Front: What evolutionary process increases genetic similarity in small populations?
Back: Genetic drift
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Writing and coding by Michael Alan Prestwood.
(c) 2025-2026 TouchstoneTruth.
Writing and coding by Michael Alan Prestwood.
