Fossil record confirms anatomically modern humans first appeared in Africa 195000 years ago. mtDNA traces humanity's maternal ancestor to Africa 200000 years ago. Sub-Saharan Africans show highest genetic diversity across multiple markers. Non-African genetic diversity forms subset of African diversity. Genetic diversity declines with distance from East Africa. Multiple out-of-Africa expansions occurred at 1.9 million, 650000, and 130000 years ago. Templeton's analysis rejects single recent expansion and total replacement. Earlier expansions link to H. erectus and H. heidelbergensis dispersals. Neandertal mtDNA absent in living humans despite possible drift loss. Neandertal nuclear DNA diverged from modern humans 500000-700000 years ago. Limited Neandertal admixture possible up to 20% in Europeans. Early European modern fossils show Neandertal traits indicating assimilation. Archaic traits persist regionally suggesting genetic continuity. Higher African diversity fits time depth or larger population size post-Africa origin. Effective human population size averaged 10000 indicating recent expansion.