what did humans evolve from?
Humans and the great apes (large apes) of Africa -- chimpanzees (including bonobos, or so-called âpygmy chimpanzeesâ) and gorillas -- share a common ancestor that lived between 8 and 6 million years ago. Humans first evolved in Africa, and much of human evolution occurred on that continent. The fossils of early humans who lived between 6 and 2 million years ago come entirely from Africa. Most scientists currently recognize some 15 to 20 different species of early humans.