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Anthropology/Birthplace of the human race

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Expert: - 12/20/2011


Question
Where is the birthplace of the human race ?

Answer
The oldest fossils of Homo sapiens come from sites in Ethiopia.
African populations are more genetically diverse than non-Africans, and thus likely older.
Our nearest primate relatives come from equatorial Africa.
So the answer to your question is Africa.
There is some debate about whether human antiquity is greater in one or another part of Africa, but you're most likely correct if you just identify the whole continent as the zone of origination.
Cheers,
John Shea

Anthropology

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John Shea

Expertise

Questions about Old World prehistoric archaeology (especially Stone Age) of Europe, Africa, and Western Asia, prehistoric human and hominid behavior, primitive technology, origin of modern humans, extinction of the Neandertals.

Experience

>20 years as a professional anthropologist based at a research university.

Publications
Journal of Field Archaeology, Journal of Archaeological Science, Lithic Technology, Evolutionary Anthropology, Current Anthropology, Mitekufat HaEven (Journal of the Israel Prehistoric Society), Paléorient, Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan, American Anthropologist, Geoarchaeology.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D (Anthropology) Harvard University, 1991.
BA (Archaeology) Boston University, 1982.

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