We are all curious about our origins. This common interest
manifests itself in different ways, at both the personal level
(local historical research and genealogical investigation) and
at the level of society (a fascination with archaeology and
history, and public funding for the investigation of our past).
This curiosity is not new: some of the oldest historical texts
from different societies detail origin myths, as do oral
histories passed down over generations. Distinguishing fact
from fiction in these stories is difficult and differences of
opinion can be a source of political conflict.
Genetic record of the past