The fixed factor is that 97℅ of our DNA matches with that of fossils in Africa. So our ancestors must have come from there, but that doesn't mean there were a f

The fixed factor is that 97℅ of our DNA matches with that of fossils in Africa. So our ancestors must have come from there, but that doesn't mean there were a few intermediate stops. Also always worth remembering that the classification as eg sapiens, heidelbergensis or erectus is not one checklist that always ticks the same boxes. In each of these groups defined by us on the basis of some common features but there is much variation. And of course there are regional or temporal differences within eg sapiens. Then you have parallel evolutions, interbreeding, fakes, unclear dating, and you never know if a particular specimen that you find really has 'typical ' features and genes for that time and space, eg it could have been that one lady/guy that happened to have wandered far from where the rest of its group remained, or could have been somewhat different. Eg imagine the only specimen that remains from our era is an inbred Egyptian pharaoh or someone with down syndrome. Those are bad examples as you could probably figure such things somewhat from the DNA, but it's not so clear for every condition, eg if epigenetics* had some bigger effect. * = A layer on your genes that De/activates or strengthens/weakens their effects and that we barely understand. The famous example is that data on Danish military recruits, which were measured upon entry into service, showed that if a man suffers starvation/malnutrition in his childhood his sons (!) will on average be less tall than others of their generation. One generation is not enough for genetic selection, so it must be a change in epigenetics.