It almost sounds like something out of Parasite Eve, but this is real life we're talking about: scientists have said that our ancestors nearly evolved into two separate species before merging back into a single population. The reason for the evolutionary split? Possible massive droughts at the time could have driven a part of the human population to migrate elsewhere.

The scientists based their hypotheses on analyses of mitochondrial DNA in present-day African populations. The researchers compiled a "family tree" of different mitochondrial DNA groupings in the region. They discovered that a major split in the species did occur some 150,000 years ago, only to come back together again during the Late Stone Age due to population expansion.

According to the scientists' research, current African populations possess a mixture of two mitochondrial lineages: on one side, you have a lineage predominantly found in East and West Africa and outside of the region. On the other hand, you have lineages found in the Khoisan hunter-gatherers of South Africa.

The two estranged sides did get to meet again someday. Scientists mentioned that the two populations came back together about 40,000 years ago. It apparently coincided with advanced stone tool technology and more favorable conditions. How's that for a family reunion?