Anthropology?

Question

where have various fossils leading to our understanding of human evolution been found? how does understanding the geography location of archaeological sites, along withthe fossil record, help us understand the path that human evolution has taken?

Answer 1

check out some sites on "olduvai gorge" in Africa, this is the location of many early hominid fossil finds by the leakey family, also look up the laetoli footprints of a. afarensis. To answer your second question, when we know where certain fossils come from and we can date them chronometrically (i.e. potassium argon, argon-argon, and simple carbon dating), we can trace the footsteps of the early humans out of Africa and into the far reaches of the earth! (African diaspora). This helps us understand evolution b/c we can then look at the adaptations that humans have gone thru to be able to survive in all the various climates in the world. Hope this helps!