Born in Africa

A dramatically told history of the quest to uncover the origins of humankind, from the acclaimed author of The State of Africa and Diamonds, Gold and War.

Africa does not give up its secrets easily. Buried there lie answers to the origins of humankind. After a century of investigation, scientists have transformed our understanding about the beginnings of human life. Many remarkable discoveries have been made. Yet even as the evidence about human evolution has continued to grow, so the riddle has become ever more complex. And ultimate clues still remain hidden.

Born in Africa tells the scintillating true story of the scientists who have striven to uncover the mysteries of human origins over the past hundred years. Through a dramatic and persuasive narrative Martin Meredith recreates the excitement and the danger of their journey as well as celebrating the momentous discoveries yielded by their quest. Scientists have identified more than twenty species of extinct humans. They have firmly established Africa as the birthplace not only of humankind but also of modern humans. And they have shown how modern humans, possessing a wide range of skills and language ability, spread out from Africa in an exodus sixty thousand years ago to populate the rest of the world. We have all inherited an African past.

Born in Africa applies Martin Meredith’s sweeping narrative skill to the story of the quest to answer the biggest of mysteries: the origin of mankind.