Rigorously based on the findings of human remains closely resembling those of modern humans, this is, Homo sapiens, scientists have agreed that the first anatomically modern humans appeared in Southern Africa around 200,000 years ago. However, a mass extinction event taking place some 100,000 years ago is believed to nearly kill off all Homo sapiens individuals except for around 40 surviving individuals who are now considered the direct ancestors of all modern humans today all over the world.
