Source: Worldwide genetic research as presented by Dr. Spencer Wells in the PBS series 'Journey of Man.'
Modern man arose in the Kalihari Desert in South Africa, living in caves there 70,000 years ago. About 50,000 years ago, because of worldwide drought, population declined drastically, and they began migrating to the middle east, settling in small numbers along the coast toward India. During the last ice age, between 60,000 and 30,000 years ago, much more land was exposed above sea level, linking areas that were previously inaccessible.
Mankind continued to spread along the middle east and Indian coast and into Australia about 50,000 years ago, accounting for about 10 percent of the population. The other 90 percent took a different route and are the ancestors of Europeans, Asians, and American Indians. Around 45,000 years ago this second wave was in the middle east, moving northeast toward Asia. Because of the ice age, they could not yet move into glacier-covered Europe. About 40,000 years ago they were in central Asia in the area north of Afghanistan, near China. Here they branched out over Asia, and eventually into America, and Europe.
The first Europeans were the Cro-Magnons, ariving about 35,000 years ago with taller body proportions adapted to warmer weather. Over time, isolated by the ice age, they adapted to the colder weather of Europe, with lighter skin, shorter, stockier bodies. They are regarded as the ancestors of today's Europeans.
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THE VIKINGS
According to archaelogical research, Norway was inhabited as early as 14,000 years ago by a hunting people with a paleolithic culture derived from western and central Europe. Later, colonies of farming people from Denmark and Sweden were established in the region. These settlers spoke a Germanic language that became the mother tongue of the later Scandinavian languages. The new arrivals settled around the large lakes and along the coasts, and formed petty kingdoms. By about the 8th century AD, aproximately 29 small kingdoms, called fylker, existed in Norway.
Inevitably the kings turned their attention to the sea, the easiest way of communication with the outside world. Ships of war were built and sent on raiding expeditions, initiating the era of the Vikings.
Eventually they invaded Ireland, England, and France and tried to establish settlements. In 878 Saxon King Alfred the Great finally drove them from England, but Charles III of France was unable to defeat them. In 911 he turned over to the Norsemen leader Rollo (860?-931?) the duchy of Normandy. By this time, the English people were a combination of the Picts (the earliest inhabitants), the Angles, and the Viking descendants who through raids and eventual intermarriage became part of the culture. But, in 1066, a descendent of Rollo, William II, Duke of Normandy, invaded England, and became King William, also known as William the Conquerer. The Normans of France were descended primarily from the Danish Vikings, and the Doggett name is considered to be Norman.
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Page last updated 29 April 2008.