The "People-ing" of the Earth is one of the most facinating subjects I know of. I think the currently accepted theory is Will's "Out of Africa" proposition, which seems to be supported by both archeological data and DNA research.

I don't think modern man just "appeared" in Europe, but migrated around the Mediterranean from Africa. Neanderthal was a dead end branch of the family, like many other branches, but all modern people seem to be relatives of mine and yours.

As far as the America's go, the American Indian is a relative new-comer just like the rest of us when compared to the over-all scheme of things...Geo