The beginnings of humanity can be traced back to Africa, where the earliest known hominids, or human ancestors, evolved around 7 million years ago. The genus Homo, to which modern humans belong, evolved in Africa around 2.8 million years ago. The specific location where humanity originated is still under debate, but one of the most widely accepted theories is that humanity originated in the East African Rift Valley, which stretches from Mozambique to Syria and is considered the cradle of human evolution. The early human migrations out of Africa, around 70,000 to 100,000 years ago, led to the colonization of the rest of the world. The geographic location of Africa as the birthplace of humanity is supported by genetic, fossil, and archaeological evidence.