Final answer:
Homo erectus first evolved in East Africa and later migrated to the rest of Africa and beyond, leaving a significant archaeological footprint spanning from North Africa and the Near East to Europe and Asia.
Step-by-step explanation:
Homo erectus, an early species in the genus Homo, first evolved about 1.9 million years ago in East Africa and then spread to other parts of Africa and around the world. Initially, sites in East Africa such as those in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site in South Africa were crucial in the evolution and habitation of Homo erectus. As Homo erectus evolved and migrated, they reached locations in North Africa, the Near East, Europe, and East and South Asia.
It is suggested that Homo erectus spread out of Africa into Europe and Asia about 1 million years ago, leading to human species like Homo heidelbergensis. Important migration routes included staying close to rivers and lakes, following the decline of sea levels during the Pleistocene Ice Age to allow passage through interior coastal routes. The remarkable journey of Homo erectus out of Africa represents one of the earliest examples of human migration, laying the groundwork for later species, including Homo sapiens, to continue this global expansion.