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Exercise 1: Audio transcript

Host: Hello, if you’ve just joined us, we are back with Professor Atkins discussing human
migration as a timeless phenomenon.

Professor Atkins: Timeless indeed. Although when different primitive humans started moving is
still not definite, we do have a possible list of reasons why they started to move. And you
shouldn’t be shocked if they sound similar to the reasons we are still moving.

The story of early human migration spans such a large time period and geographic region that
there can’t be only one reason for all this roaming. One theory might be a shift in climate, which
may have pushed some groups to explore more hospitable lands. Others may have sought
better food supplies, avoiding aggressive or competing neighbours; and then there were others
who may have simply been adventurous, looking for a change. If you think about it, we are still,
thousands of years later, migrating for similar reasons: climate change and its consequences,
looking for better living standards, avoiding conflict or taking a leap of faith and searching for
adventure.

Host: As a Chinese American, I understand what you mean.

PA: The puzzle of early migration is a difficult one because although there are fossil records,
these are incomplete and inconsistent.

Host: But you mentioned in the previous section that DNA analysis might be a new leading
technology for discovering more about our ancestors…

PA: The study of genetics prompted by the study of ancient DNA and integrating it with fossil,
climatic and geological data will hopefully provide more answers.

Host: This is super interesting! Let me share with you a question one of our subscribers
submitted via Twitter. When did primitive human beings first reach the Americas? Thank you for
this question, JennyB.

PA: Wow, well… I don’t think I can give a precise answer; this is one of the blind spots in our
story. The exact path through which the Americas were reached, and when, is still a source of
debate. Based on tools found which researchers believe to have been manmade, some studies
suggest there were humans in California 130,000 years ago! But, plot twist, we’ve found tools
but no human fossils yet, so a lot more research will be required before I can answer your
question, JennyB, sorry.

Host: Well, this is all we have time for today. Keep sending your questions; Professor Atkins will
be here again next week for this series of special podcasts on the history of migration.

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