These developments draw attention to the ambiguity of the term “human” in origins. There are several points in history identified, by different people, with the rise of “human.” There is no consensus in theology or science on how to define “human,” so we expect an unresolvable diversity of opinions.
- 12 to 6 kya, when civilization and agriculture arise, then spread quickly across the globe.
- About 70 to 50 kya, with the rise of behaviorally-modern humans.
- About 100 to 300 kya, with the rise of anatomically-modern humans, also known as Homo sapiens.
- About 500 to 700 kya, with the common ancestor of Neanderthals, Homo sapiens, Denisovans, and likely some other hominins.
- About 2 mya, with the rise of the first in the Homo genus.
In all these contexts, Adam and Eve could be genealogical universal ancestors. They would be a single couple, whose offspring interbreed with a larger population, perhaps de novo created, that become genealogical ancestors of everyone. If genealogical descent from them conveys an important theological status, such as original sin, they would be the sole genealogical progenitors of the “mankind” of Scripture, even though they interbreed with those outside the Garden.
Excerpt from Peaceful Science
Bonus: Interesting video from Smithsonian Museum on archeological evidence of human fossils
Bonus: Interesting video from Smithsonian Museum on archeological evidence of human fossils
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