Final answer:
Homo sapiens first appeared around 300,000 years ago in Africa, evolving from earlier species like Homo erectus. There's a debate on the spread of anatomically modern humans, with the 'out of Africa' migration theory being the most accepted. Africa is central in our evolutionary history.
Step-by-step explanation:
The species Homo sapiens first appeared approximately 300,000 years ago in Africa, as indicated by fossil evidence, including a notable finding in Morocco in 2017. This species developed advanced tools, learned to control fire, and adapted to diverse climates through innovations like cooked food and animal skin clothing. Homo sapiens are thought to have evolved from earlier hominins such as Homo erectus, who had migrated out of Africa and into Eurasia about 1.9 million years ago. Debates continue regarding the exact timeline and migrations of anatomically modern humans, with the most accepted theory being the "out of Africa" model, suggesting a migration around 100,000 years ago.
There are alternative theories, such as the 'multiregional evolution model', which suggests simultaneous evolution of modern humans from Homo erectus across different regions. However, this model is less supported by genetic data than by fossil records. Nonetheless, all models point to Africa as the cradle of early H. sapiens, highlighting the continent's fundamental role in human evolution.