Who was the first species to leave Africa into Europe and Asia?

The first species identified to have left Africa and migrated into Europe and Asia is Homo erectus. This species is believed to have dispersed from Africa approximately 1.9 million years ago. Homo erectus demonstrated a significant advancement in tool-making and adaptation, which allowed for a successful survival in diverse environments outside Africa.

Homo erectus is also marked by notable physical traits that suggest a more human-like gait, which would have facilitated long-distance travel necessary for migration. Their ability to use fire and create more complex tools contributed to their adaptability as they spread into different habitats.

While Homo sapiens eventually followed and are recognized as the only surviving human species today, they are not the earliest to leave Africa. Neanderthals and Homo habilis, on the other hand, emerged later in evolutionary terms and do not represent the first migrations out of the African continent. Hence, recognizing Homo erectus as the initial migratory species aligns with the fossil and archaeological evidence that traces these early movements into other parts of the world.