Final answer:
Evidence of humanity's beginnings in Africa comes largely from genetic studies, showing all human genomes globally have close ties to those in Africa. Additionally, all humans can trace their lineage back to ancestors in Africa about 200,000 years ago. Despite ongoing research, the prevailing theory remains the 'Out of Africa' model.
Step-by-step explanation:
The claim that humanity had its beginnings in Africa is primarily backed by genetic studies and archaeological evidence. Studies of human genetics globally reveal that all human genomes tested outside of Africa have close ties to the genomes of people in Africa, which suggests a common African origin. This is due to a genetic variance present in Africa that is not found elsewhere in the world.
Furthermore, investigations into our common ancestors based on mtDNA suggest that all humans can trace their lineage back to ancestors who lived in Africa as far as 200,000 years ago. Over time, these early human species migrated out of Africa and populated different parts of the globe. At some point between forty thousand and fifteen thousand years ago, other human species declined, and only Homo sapiens remained, following the 'Out of Africa' model.
As new research and technologies emerge, our understanding of human ancestry continues to develop, but current evidence strongly supports the theory of Africa as the birthplace of humanity.
Learn more about Human Origins