Approximately 200,000 years ago, modern humans (Homo sapiens) began to emerge in Africa.
This period marks a crucial point in human evolution, characterized by the following key developments:
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Origin of Modern Humans: The earliest Homo sapiens fossils, such as those found at Omo Kibish in Ethiopia, date back to around 200,000 years ago. This suggests that our species originated in Africa during this time.
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Evolutionary Context: These early Homo sapiens evolved from earlier hominin species, likely Homo erectus or a closely related ancestor.
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"Out of Africa" Theory: Current evidence supports the "Out of Africa" theory, which posits that modern humans originated in Africa and subsequently migrated to other parts of the world, replacing other hominin populations like Neanderthals and Denisovans. This migration, however, began significantly later than 200,000 years ago.
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Technological and Cultural Development: While specific details about the daily lives of these early humans are limited, archaeological evidence suggests the use of sophisticated stone tools (Middle Stone Age technology) and potentially early forms of symbolic behavior.
Timeline:
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| ~200,000 years ago | Emergence of Homo sapiens in Africa |
| Earlier | Evolution from Homo erectus or similar |
| Later | Gradual migration "Out of Africa" |
Important Note: Human evolution is an ongoing area of scientific research. New discoveries and analyses continuously refine our understanding of this complex process.
