Final answer:
Modern human behavior emerged in Africa by 100,000 years ago, substantiated by archaeological evidence, the Out of Africa model, and genetic data such as mtDNA. Important traces of human presence and cultural expressions in Africa support the idea that our species developed modern behaviors there before migrating across the globe.
Step-by-step explanation:
Emergence of Modern Human Behavior in Africa: Modern human behavior is attributed to Homo sapiens, our own species, which evolved in Africa around 200,000 years ago. Evidence supporting the notion that modern human behavior emerged in Africa by 100,000 years ago includes archaeological findings, genetic data, and the study of human migration patterns. Archaeological sites north of the Black Sea show evidence of human presence as early as 80,000 years ago, displaying traces of a nomadic lifestyle dependent on hunting and foraging. The widely accepted "Out of Africa" model posits that modern humans first appeared in Africa and then started expansive migrations approximately 100,000 years ago, leading to the displacement of other hominin species such as Homo erectus, Neanderthals, and Denisovans. This model is corroborated by genetic information, such as mtDNA research, that points to all humans sharing common ancestors from Africa 200,000 years ago. The tools, art, and cultural practices found at different sites along the assumed migration routes also support this theory. Agriculture's beginnings further indicate a gradual evolution of human behavior dating far back, with early cultural and visual expressions found in Africa. Genetic studies reveal examples of coevolution, shedding light on the human saga. As modern humans spread throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australia by 40,000 years ago, they carried with them traits and cultural elements that defined modern human behavior.