Doomscroll with Joshua Citarella Doomscroll 41.5: David Wengrow
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Feb 23, 2026 
David Wengrow, archaeologist and author exploring deep human history. He discusses prehistoric human diversity and how populations mixed. He critiques Victorian race science and modern attempts to rank ancient intelligence. He highlights North Africa’s early architectural influence and examines political innovations like sortition and ancient assemblies.
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Human Origins Are A Mosaic Not A Single Line
- Homo sapiens formed as a composite species through interactions among multiple, physically diverse African populations.
- Genetic and fossil evidence shows a mosaic of distinct groups merging around 300,000 years ago rather than a single origin point.
Cold Climate Intelligence Theory Has No Evidence
- Claims that cold climates caused higher intelligence have no evidence and stem from Victorian race science.
- David Wengrow traces these ideas to 19th-century theories reused by modern thinkers, not to empirical support from African archaeological records.
Africa Showed Early Environmental Versatility
- Africa hosted diverse, sophisticated adaptations long before humans left the continent, across savannahs, rainforests and mountains.
- Early populations had evolved to many environments, undermining narratives that equate complexity with temperate climates.