Type A blood is considered the oldest blood type. Evidence suggests that the different blood types evolved over millions of years, with type A emerging first. Subsequent mutations led to the development of types O and B. Type AB is the most recent, appearing only when populations with type A and type B blood mixed.
Evolutionary Timeline of Blood Types
- Type A: The oldest blood type, originating millions of years ago.
- Type O and B: Developed later through mutations from Type A.
- Type AB: The most recent type, arising from the mixing of Type A and Type B populations.
This information is supported by multiple sources, including research articles and scientific publications that analyze the genetic mutations responsible for the different blood types. The evolution of blood types is a complex process, but the general consensus points to Type A as the most ancient. For example, one study suggests that "the old races have O blood group, such as Red Indians of South America, and Eskimos," suggesting an older origin for O in specific populations, but the overall evolutionary tree still points to A being the oldest.
Several sources explicitly state that Type A is the oldest blood type, while others detail the emergence of other blood types via mutations from Type A. The time periods involved span millions of years, illustrating a long evolutionary history.