Humans, scientifically known as Homo sapiens, originated in Africa about 200,000 to 315,000 years ago. Our species evolved from earlier hominins, such as Homo erectus, and share a common ancestor with other great apes like chimpanzees and gorillas from around 6 to 8 million years ago. Modern humans first evolved physical and behavioral traits in Africa, and subsequently migrated out of the continent to populate the rest of the world starting from around 100,000 to 70,000 years ago, replacing or interbreeding with other archaic human populations such as Neanderthals and Denisovans. This understanding is supported by fossil evidence, genetic studies, and remains the most widely accepted scientific explanation, known as the "Out of Africa" model of human evolution.