> "despite practicing animal husbandry—a cultural innovation that originated outside Africa"
Animal husbandry was a response to unproductive hunting. And since desertification - hence unproductive hunting- started long time ago in Africa, it makes sense that animal husbandry started there too before it appeared elsewhere.
I think the development cordage(rope) and woodworking techniques would have a heavy influence on slowing down, noticing the surrounding abundance. Once a location becomes favorable more substantial and long lasting structures could be made.
My question is what was the divide that kept these groups at 50kyo. Something kept them apart.
I hope they get samples from different beings to analyze.
it is one logical pathway, but another is to simply move to a new area, rather than develop animal husbandry. Which one seems more likely?