April 13, 2009
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“Mitochondrial Eve (mt-mrca) is the name given by researchers to the woman who is defined as the matrilineal most recent common ancestor (MRCA) for all currently living humans. Passed down from mother to offspring, her mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is now found in all living humans.
Mitochondrial Eve is the female counterpart of Y-chromosomal Adam, the patrilineal most recent common ancestor. While their descendants certainly became close intimates, Y-chromosomal Adam and mitochondrial Eve are separated by tens of thousands of years. She is believed to have lived about 170,000 years ago, or roughly 8,000 generations ago.Y-chromosomal Adam probably lived between 60,000 and 90,000 years ago.”
-Wikipedia
