Origins of the Humans

Origin of Humans

In our previous post ( God Makes Heaven and Earth), we examined the creation of the heavens and the earth from a Biblical perspective under the category of World Religions. In each topic we discuss, we focus on the foundation, or the origin. This time, we’ll look specifically at the origins of Coloured people. True to our approach, we will examine the source, which is the origin of humankind, and from there, delve into one of our ancestors—the Bushmen—some of whom still exist today.

As always, we will reference reliable sources, as we did with our analysis of Genesis Chapter 1 through Chapter 2:1-3. This time, we will examine the origin of humankind from a scientific perspective. We recommend you refer to the "Human Evolution" entry on Wikipedia, where you will find references supporting our summary.

Wikipedia states: “Anatomically modern humans emerged in Africa approximately 300,000 years ago.” Some scientists initially resisted this conclusion. If this is indeed accurate, does it mean that all humans are of African origin? How can that be, given that Africans are Black while Europeans are White?

Fossils discovered at Blombos Cave near Heidelberg, around 300 km east of Cape Town, suggest that South Africa may be the birthplace of the human lineage. Although multiple origins are still possible, evidence shows that Homo sapiens (intelligent humans) reached South Africa about 100,000 years ago (Patric Tariq Mellet, The Lie of 1652, pp. 32–33).

We encourage you to explore “Blombos Cave” or the “Cradle of Humankind” by searching online for more information on the significant human fossil discoveries made in Africa, particularly South Africa. Do these findings contradict the story of the Garden of Eden, traditionally believed to be near present-day Baghdad in Iraq?

Let’s leave that question open for now and return to our evolutionary ancestors. According to Wikipedia, African hominids [erect, bipedal ape-like mammals, including humans] diverged from orangutans about 14 million years ago. Humans then split from gorillas between 8-9 million years ago, and from chimpanzees 4-7 million years ago. Human DNA is about 98.4% identical to that of chimpanzees (Wikipedia: Human Evolution, ~p. 4).

Around 300,000 years ago, Homo habilis, the first tool-making humans, emerged in Africa. They evolved larger brains and gained the ability to walk upright with locked knees, similar to modern humans. The opening in their skulls for the spinal cord, which connects to the medulla oblongata, enlarged as their brains grew. This advancement enabled them to instinctively learn tasks such as controlling fire and cooking, leading to smaller teeth as a result of their dietary changes.

These developments marked the emergence of Homo erectus, characterized by an upright posture and no longer sleeping in trees (Wikipedia: Human Evolution, ~p. 9).

In Europe and Asia, evidence has been found of a group known as the Neanderthals, who lived from 400,000 to about 28,000 years ago. The Khoikhoi people, whom Jan van Riebeeck referred to as "savages and brutes," appeared strikingly more handsome than the reconstructions of Neanderthal ancestors in Europe.

During the Ice Age, unlike other early humans who migrated to warmer African regions, many Neanderthals stayed in Europe. Some adapted to the cold, but a large number perished. Those who survived developed enhanced sight, useful in the dimmer light of glacial Europe.

By 28,000 years ago, all Neanderthals had died out, yet they left some genetic legacy among primitive European humans. Today, all non-Africans have about 1–4% Neanderthal DNA. Studies indicate that Neanderthals may have passed certain traits, such as susceptibility to depression, to modern Europeans (Corinne Simoneti, Vanderbilt University, Nashville; Wikipedia: Human Evolution).

Next, we will examine Homo sapiens ("wise" or "intelligent" humans in Latin), who emerged in Africa around 300,000 years ago. In South Africa, the San (or Bushmen) are the oldest known inhabitants of Southern Africa, where they have lived for at least 20,000 years (source: San - Siyabona Africa / Kruger National Park).

It is likely that our ancestors were part of the intelligent human species that emerged in Africa 300,000 years ago. We plan to trace the origin, nature, and destiny of human beings until we arrive at the Bushmen's heritage. Afterward, we will continue our exploration in a new section, covering the Bushmen, Khoikhoi, Khoisan, and other groups, including Bantu and Europeans. We will also discuss our ancestry related to slavery—all with supporting evidence.

Quran: “The Prophet Joseph – Yusuf 74: What shall be the recompense if you prove to be lying?”

Bible: “1 Thessalonians 5:21: Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”