ABSTRACT
As a background to my attempt to put flesh on the bones of the early humans, I give here a short orientation in the finds that illuminate the origins and earliest evolution of the human race in Africa, up to about 2 million years ago. But because this subject also raises questions as to our biological and cultural heritage, I follow this evolutionary thread all the way to the appearance of modern humans on the same continent. The different side branches of the family tree, those who populated Europe and Asia before the modern humans, are also given a little corner to themselves despite falling outside my main theme.
