The stage of the origin of mankind refers to the period in history when human beings first appeared on Earth. This stage is commonly known as human evolution or human origins. It is believed that the earliest human ancestors evolved from a common ancestor shared with other primates, such as chimpanzees and bonobos, around 6 to 7 million years ago.
The exact details of human evolution are still a subject of ongoing scientific research and debate. However, based on fossil and genetic evidence, scientists have been able to construct a general timeline of human evolution.
The earliest known hominin species, which are members of the human family tree, are believed to have emerged in Africa. These early hominins, such as Ardipithecus and Australopithecus, lived between 4 and 2 million years ago. They were bipedal, meaning they walked on two legs, but still had some ape-like features.
Around 2 million years ago, a new group of hominins called Homo emerged. The most famous representative of this group is Homo habilis, who is considered the first toolmaker. Homo habilis was followed by Homo erectus, who had a larger brain and was the first hominin to migrate out of Africa and spread across different parts of the world.
About 200,000 years ago, Homo sapiens, our own species, appeared in Africa. Homo sapiens had a more advanced brain and sophisticated tool-making abilities. They eventually migrated out of Africa around 70,000 years ago and populated the rest of the world, replacing other hominin species like Neanderthals.
The stage of the origin of mankind is a fascinating period in human history, as it marks the beginning of our species and the development of unique traits and abilities that distinguish us from other animals. It is a subject of great interest for scientists, anthropologists, and archaeologists who continue to study and uncover more about our ancient origins.