the road
to the evolution of our species began in Africa. Anthropologists
estimate that the human lineage diverged from other primates about 5
million years ago, with chimps being our closest living relative. The
most primitive human ancestors yet discovered belong to the genus Australopithecus,
which lived about 3 million years ago. Remains of Australopithecines
– including "Lucy" – have been discovered primarily in the
Rift Valley of Africa. Early members of our own genus, Homo erectus,
and its near relative, Homo ergaster, arose in the same region
about 2.5 million years ago. These "archaic" hominids migrated
out of Africa approximately 1.5 million years ago to found populations
in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
modern humans, dating to 40,000-100,000 years ago, have been found throughout
the "Old World" – Africa, Europe, and Asia – and in Australia.
By modern humans, we mean members of our own species, Homo sapiens,
who shared with us important anatomical features (skull shape and size)
and behavioral attributes (use of blades, bone tools, pigments, burial
goods, art, trade, hunting, and varied environmental resources). These
humans subsequently spread to Micronesia, Polynesia, and the "New
World" (North and South America).
modern humans emerged is a matter of debate between proponents of two
opposing theories.
Supporters of the multiregional theory contend that modern human
populations developed independently from archaic hominid (Homo erectus
or Homo ergaster) populations in Africa, Europe, and Asia.
Early modern groups evolved in parallel with each other and exchanged
members to give rise to modern population groups. Supporters of the
displacement theory, commonly known as "out of Africa,"
contend that modern human populations are derived from a single modern
population group that left Africa about 80,000 years ago. This founding
group migrated throughout the Old World, displacing any surviving archaic
hominids. So,
scientists all agree that our early hominid relatives arose in Africa,
but disagree on when the direct ancestors of living humans left Africa
to populate the globe.
DNA Learning Center, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Noncommercial, educational use only.
DNA Learning Center, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
the road
to the evolution of our species began in Africa. Anthropologists
estimate that the human lineage diverged from other primates about 5
million years ago, with chimps being our closest living relative. The
most primitive human ancestors yet discovered belong to the genus Australopithecus,
which lived about 3 million years ago. Remains of Australopithecines
– including "Lucy" – have been discovered primarily in the
Rift Valley of Africa. Early members of our own genus, Homo erectus,
and its near relative, Homo ergaster, arose in the same region
about 2.5 million years ago. These "archaic" hominids migrated
out of Africa approximately 1.5 million years ago to found populations
in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
modern humans, dating to 40,000-100,000 years ago, have been found throughout
the "Old World" – Africa, Europe, and Asia – and in Australia.
By modern humans, we mean members of our own species, Homo sapiens,
who shared with us important anatomical features (skull shape and size)
and behavioral attributes (use of blades, bone tools, pigments, burial
goods, art, trade, hunting, and varied environmental resources). These
humans subsequently spread to Micronesia, Polynesia, and the "New
World" (North and South America).
modern humans emerged is a matter of debate between proponents of two
opposing theories.
Supporters of the multiregional theory contend that modern human
populations developed independently from archaic hominid (Homo erectus
or Homo ergaster) populations in Africa, Europe, and Asia.
Early modern groups evolved in parallel with each other and exchanged
members to give rise to modern population groups. Supporters of the
displacement theory, commonly known as "out of Africa,"
contend that modern human populations are derived from a single modern
population group that left Africa about 80,000 years ago. This founding
group migrated throughout the Old World, displacing any surviving archaic
hominids. So,
scientists all agree that our early hominid relatives arose in Africa,
but disagree on when the direct ancestors of living humans left Africa
to populate the globe.