According to historians, what is the most widely accepted theory regarding early human migration?

The most widely accepted theory regarding early human migration is the idea of a gradual spread from East Africa to the rest of the world. This theory is supported by a significant body of archaeological, genetic, and anthropological evidence that traces the lineage of modern humans back to East Africa. The 'Out of Africa' model posits that Homo sapiens began migrating from this region approximately 60,000 to 80,000 years ago, gradually populating Europe, Asia, Australia, and eventually the Americas.

This gradual dispersal is thought to have occurred in several waves over thousands of years, with early humans adapting to diverse environments and developing various survival strategies. This contrasts with other theories. For example, while the land bridge connecting Asia and North America (often referred to as Beringia) did facilitate human migration into the Americas, it is part of a broader context of migration rather than representing the initial movement of humans. Furthermore, global warming and ocean navigation techniques have played roles in human history but do not primarily explain the earliest migrations out of Africa.