Final answer:
The first Homo sapiens appeared in the fossil record in Africa about 200,000 years ago, with possible earlier emergence as indicated by fossils dating back to 300,000 years ago found in Morocco. Homo sapiens eventually spread from Africa, replacing other hominin species as part of the 'out of Africa' model. The species was preceded by Homo erectus, an ancestor that migrated out of Africa around 1.8 million years ago.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first Homo sapiens appear in the fossil record roughly 200,000 years ago in Africa. These anatomically modern humans exhibited physical characteristics such as a projecting chin, which is unique to our species and potentially developed as a response to the emergence of human speech. Notably, the oldest known Homo sapiens fossil was found in Morocco in 2017, which dates back about 300,000 years, indicating that our species may have emerged earlier than previously believed. Homo sapiens are believed to have then dispersed from Africa and replaced other hominid species through the "out of Africa" model. This expansion exemplifies a significant evolutionary milestone, with Homo sapiens developing culture, technology, and methods for survival, such as the use of fire and the creation of sophisticated tools and weapons. Before the appearance of Homo sapiens, there were other important hominin species such as Homo erectus, which was the first to migrate out of Africa about 1.8 million years ago and is considered a possible ancestor to later archaic Homo species and ultimately modern humans.