The first humans, Homo sapiens, originated in Africa. Current evidence indicates that modern humans evolved in Africa approximately 300,000 years ago, with the oldest fossils found in regions such as East Africa, including Ethiopia and Kenya. Rather than originating from a single spot, diverse groups of early humans lived across Africa, evolving and intermixing over time. East Africa, particularly the Rift Valley area, has been a key site for ancient human fossils, but discoveries also highlight important evolutionary evidence from other areas such as North and South Africa. This broad African origin is supported by anatomical fossil evidence, genetic studies, and archaeological findings of tools and cultural artifacts. In summary, the first Homo sapiens emerged in Africa, with important early fossils found in East Africa and other parts of the continent, and from there modern humans eventually migrated across the globe.