Y-Chromosomal Adam

Y-Chromosomal Adam refers to the most recent common ancestor from whom all living men are directly descended through their paternal lines, traced via the Y chromosome. This ancestor lived approximately 200,000 to 300,000 years ago in Africa. While he is called "Adam," he was not the only man alive at that time, nor our first human ancestor. Instead, he is the only man whose Y chromosome lineage has persisted unbroken to today, with all other male lineages having died out or gone extinct. This concept helps scientists trace human evolution and migration patterns.