Where Did Humans Come From? Evolution and the Out-of-Africa Theory

The scientific consensus is evolution by natural selection (Darwin). Humans share common ancestors with other primates in Africa millions of years ago. Key adaptations: bipedalism, larger brains, tool use, language.

Genetic evidence supports the "Out of Africa" hypothesis: all modern humans trace back to a small African population. Mitochondrial Eve (female line) and Y-chromosomal Adam (male line) lived in Africa ~200,000 years ago. The alternative multiregional hypothesis (independent evolution with interbreeding) has less support.