Final answer:
Modern humans, belonging to the species Homo sapiens, originated in Africa around 200,000 years ago according to the "out of Africa" model. They later spread worldwide, replacing other species and sometimes interbreeding with them. Evolving understanding of human evolution continues with new archaeological and genetic evidence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Most scientists believe that modern humans arose as a new species in Africa. According to the "out of Africa" model, Homo sapiens emerged around 200,000 years ago in Africa and later spread around the globe, replacing other human species. Another theory, the "multiregional evolution model", suggests that Homo sapiens evolved from Homo erectus in multiple regions simultaneously. However, genetic data favors the out of Africa model, showing that modern humans or their ancestors likely started in Africa and then interbred with other species like Neanderthals as they dispersed to other regions. The genus and species to which modern humans belong are Homo sapiens. Other human species, such as Homo erectus and Neanderthals, eventually disappeared. Integrating genetic evidence and archaeological records is crucial for understanding the complex history of human evolution. As new evidence is unearthed, such as the oldest known Homo sapiens fossils found in Morocco, our understanding of our origins may change.