Tracking the origin of the human race
Scientists believe that humans originated about 200,000 years ago in the Middle Paleolithic period in southern Africa. One of the oldest human settlements dating back to 160,000 years ago has been found at Middle Awash in Ethiopia. About 70,000 years ago, humans migrated out of Africa. They spread to Eurasia and Oceania 40,000 years ago, and reached the Americas 14,500 years ago.