Considerable attention is now being paid to the use of molecular evidence in studies of human diversity and origins. Much of the early work was based on evidence from mitochondrial DNA, but this has now been supplemented by important new information from nuclear DNA from both the Y chromosomes and the autosomes. The bulk of the material available is also from living populations, but this is now being extended by the study of DNA from archaic populations. The underlying models used in interpreting this evidence are developments of the neutral theory of molecular evolution, but also consider the possible role of selection. This volume brings together this new evidence from an international group of research workers. It will be an important reference for researchers in human biology, molecular biology and genetics alike.