African Archaeology of the Origin of Humankind:Discovery,Accumulation and Debate
Although there is no consensus regarding the human origin,Africa is generally recognized as one or the only birthplace of humanity.This important conclusion comes from valuable and continuous human fossil discoveries by archaeologists in Africa.In 1924,Raymond Dart discovered Taung fossil skull and termed it Australopithecus africanus.He claimed it represented a crucial"missing link"in the evolution of modem humankind,a view highly contested at the time.However,twenty-five years were to pass before the significance of Australopithecus gained general scientific acceptance after archaeological excavation of different types of hominid fossils from the continent.More evidences from the fossil of primitive ape of 22 million years ago to the hominid fossil of 2 million years ago have been discovered in Africa since the beginning of the 21"century,such as"Tumai","Ileret footprints"and"Kadanumuu",indicating a complete chain with various evidence.Moreover,the molecular genetic research in past years has provided new evidence for human origin in Africa.The research on hominid origin and evolution is still going on and there is no definite conclusion yet to this day.
human originhominid fossilsRaymond DartAustralopithecus africanusTaungs childArchaeology in Africatheory of evolution
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