How was mankind started?

The origins of mankind are best explained through the lens of evolutionary biology. Humans, specifically Homo sapiens, evolved over millions of years from earlier hominid species. 

**Evolutionary Timeline**: The process began with primates, which emerged around 65 million years ago. The lineage that led to humans diverged from that of our closest relatives, the chimpanzees, approximately 5 to 7 million years ago.

**Hominin Development**: Over time, various species of hominins, such as Australopithecus and Homo habilis, appeared, showing increasing use of tools and development of social structures. Homo erectus, which lived around 1.9 million years ago, is particularly notable for being one of the first to use fire and exhibit more complex social behavior.

**Homo sapiens**: Anatomically modern humans, Homo sapiens, appeared around 300,000 years ago in Africa. They developed advanced tools, art, and complex language, allowing for the establishment of more intricate societies.

**Migration and Adaptation**: Our ancestors migrated out of Africa around 60,000-70,000 years ago, spreading across the globe, adapting to various environments, and interacting with other hominid species such as Neanderthals.

**Cultural Development**: The development of agriculture, around 10,000 years ago, marked a significant shift in human society, leading to the establishment of civilizations, written language, and the arts.

It's important to note that this explanation is based on the scientific understanding of human evolution, which continues to evolve as new discoveries are made in fields like anthropology, paleontology, and genetics.