The first modern humans, known as Homo sapien sapiens, originated in Southeast Africa between 200,000-150,000 BC. They were physically small and had high amounts of melanin in their skin, hair and eyes. Some modern groups that most closely resemble these early small African ancestors are the San and Kung people of Southern Africa, the Khoi Khoi, and the Twa Pygmies.

1. Africa
200,000-150,000 B.C. Southeast
Africa
Neema Y. Smith

2. 200,000-150,000 B.C. Southeast Africa
Neanderthals and Neanderthaloids areNeanderthals and Neanderthaloids are
already occupying inhabitable areas ofalready occupying inhabitable areas of
northern Africa, Europe, and Asia.northern Africa, Europe, and Asia.

3. 200,000-150,000 B.C. Southeast Africa
The First Modern Men and WomenThe First Modern Men and Women
(Homo sapien sapiens) are African(Homo sapien sapiens) are African
• “Homo sapien
sapiens” are the
first modern
humans
•They originate in
Southeastern Africa

4. 200,000-150,000 B.C. Southeast Africa
•They Were Physically Small andThey Were Physically Small and
Melanin-ProficientMelanin-Proficient
• Melanin is a dark brown or
black pigment that is present in
hair, skin, and eyes of humans
as well as animals.
What is Melanin?
Some Examples of Melanin

5. 200,000-150,000 B.C. Southeast Africa
•The present-dayThe present-day
San, ! Kung andSan, ! Kung and
Khoi KhoiKhoi Khoi
(Kalahari(Kalahari
bushmen) andbushmen) and
the Twa Pygmiesthe Twa Pygmies
Most CloselyMost Closely
ResembleResemble OurOur
Small AfricanSmall African
AncestorAncestor
Twa Pygmies
Modern-Day
Khoi Khoi Man
See?

6. 200,000-150,000 B.C. Southeast Africa
•The present-dayThe present-day
San, ! Kung andSan, ! Kung and
Khoi KhoiKhoi Khoi
(Kalahari(Kalahari
bushmen) andbushmen) and
the Twa Pygmiesthe Twa Pygmies
Most CloselyMost Closely
ResembleResemble OurOur
Small AfricanSmall African
AncestorAncestor
Twa Pygmies
Modern-Day
Khoi Khoi Man
See?