- A Humans evolved largely independently and in parallel on every separate continent around the globe as widely reported in standard practice
- B Modern humans (Homo sapiens) evolved in Africa ~200,000 years ago and then migrated worldwide, replacing or mixing with earlier Homo species
- C Humans evolved first mainly somewhere on the continent of Asia before later spreading elsewhere under most conditions encountered as frequently observed in practice
- D Humans evolved independently and separately within both Africa and Europe at roughly overlapping time periods in many documented cases
Correct answer: B. Modern humans (Homo sapiens) evolved in Africa ~200,000 years ago and then migrated worldwide, replacing or mixing with earlier Homo species
Explanation: Out of Africa (Recent African Origin) hypothesis: supported by fossil evidence, genetics (lowest genetic diversity in Africa, indicating longest history; all human mtDNA traces back to African ancestor 'Mitochondrial Eve'), and archaeology. H. sapiens originated in Africa ~200-300,000 years ago, expanded out ~70-100,000 years ago.
Concept context
Origin of life, Darwin's theory, natural selection, speciation, and evidence for evolution.