The human timeline
| Years ago | Milestone |
|---|---|
| ~300,000 | Modern humans appear in Africa |
| ~60,000 | Groups spread out of Africa across the world |
| ~12,000 | Farming begins in the Middle East |
| ~5,200 | Writing invented in Mesopotamia |
| ~250 | The Industrial Revolution starts |
Dates are approximate and refined as new finds appear.
What made us different
Language
Sharing ideas and plans in detail
Tools and fire
Cooking, warmth and protection
Farming
Food surpluses let villages and cities grow
Cooperation
Large groups working toward shared goals
Surprising facts
1–2%Neanderthal DNA in many people outside Africa
99.9%DNA shared by all humans
8 billion+people alive today
~5,000years of written history
Every person alive today shares common ancestors in Africa.
Sources: Smithsonian Human Origins Program; Nature
Remember
All humans share one family tree rooted in Africa, and most of our history happened before writing.
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Answer key
- Where did modern humans first appear?AfricaFossil and genetic evidence point to Africa.
- About when did modern humans appear?300,000 years agoAbout 300,000 years ago.
- When did farming begin?About 12,000 years agoAround 12,000 years ago in the Middle East.
- Many people outside Africa carry DNA from which relatives?NeanderthalsAbout 1 to 2 percent Neanderthal DNA.
- Where was writing first invented?MesopotamiaIn Mesopotamia about 5,200 years ago.