Final answer:
Modern-looking fossils from sites like Omo and Herto show key stages in human evolution, dating back to as early as 195,000 years ago. They provide evidence of features characteristic of modern humans and contribute to our understanding of human divergence and adaptation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Modern-looking fossils from sites such as Omo and Herto represent a significant period in human evolution. At Omo in Ethiopia, some of the oldest known fossils of Homo sapiens have been discovered, dating to around 195,000 years ago. These fossils provide critical insights into the anatomical features that are characteristic of modern humans. Similarly, the Herto site, which is also in Ethiopia, has yielded fossil skull fragments that have been classified as Homo sapiens idaltu, dating to about 160,000 years ago. These fossils are considered modern due to their similarity to present-day human anatomy, with features like a high, rounded skull, and a reduced brow ridge.
During this period, evolutionary changes led Homo sapiens to diverge significantly from other hominids. Fossil evidence helps us to understand the adaptation to different environments and lifestyles, such as the transition from arboreal (tree-based) living to a more terrestrial lifestyle. Our understanding of human evolution continues to grow with every new discovery, as paleontologists and archaeologists unearth more artifacts and analyze them in the context of their findings.