Human Ancestors: the Search Continues
Overview
The search for human ancestors and origins made great strides in the second half of the twentieth century. During the nineteenth and early twentieth century few actual fossils were known, it was thought that there were only a few types of archaic (early) people, and the age of those fossils was in dispute. Today, sophisticated dating techniques and DNA analysis have been brought to bear upon the question of age. Also, far more fossil material has been found showing that the Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons were not alone. The evidence proves that there were many early hominids (human-like creatures). Paleoanthropologists (those scientists who study ancient humans) agree that the cradle of mankind was not Central Asia, as was once thought, but Africa—an idea that suggests we are all of African descent regardless of our skin color. While more is known of our ancestors than ever before, questions and controversies still rage over just how humans evolved to the stage we are at today.
Background
Evidence that the first human ancestors originated in Africa was discovered by Raymond Dart (1893-1988) as early as 1924, though few at that time believed such proof was conclusive.
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