Evidence of evolution

Evidence of evolution consist of all historical and modern facts which confirm the theory of evolution. The three aspects which must be proven are first, that the various species of life have appeared gradually over the course of time (i.e., hundreds of millions of years); second, that all forms of life have a common ancestor (see common descent); third, that the cause of the first two aspects can be accounted for entirely by natural means (see theory of evolution by natural selection).

Creationism, particularly the religious idea generally called Young Earth Creationism, rejects the latter two aspects of evolution on Biblical grounds. Creationists approach the problem with the faith that God created every important form of life. Just over half of creationists agree with the first aspect of evolution (gradual appearance); see Old Earth Creationism.

The mainstream of physical science, however, has accepted all three aspects since at least the 20th century. The evidence which evolution proponents put forth is: