Britannica Illustrated Science Library Evolution And Genetics

When did humans appear? What is it that makes us different from the rest of the animals? In what way did language develop? Why is it so important to have deciphered the sequence of the human genome? This book offers answers to these and many other questions about the mysteries and marvels of human evolution. Scientists maintain that modern humans originated in Africa because that is where they have found the oldest bones. In addition, genetics has just arrived at the same conclusion, since the DNA studies have confirmed that all humans are related to the African hunter-gatherers who lived some 150 million years ago. Studying the fossils, the experts also found that human skulls from two million years ago already show the development of two specific protuberances that in the present-day brain control speech, the capability that perhaps was as important for early humans as the ability to sharpen a rock or throw a spear.