In the distant distant future...

[Guest The Phantom]

Earth has been around long before humans, so it can do without us. We depend on the planet more than vice versa. The question is: if humans became extinct, what being of reason would replace us in civilizations? What type of animal would they most plausibly be descended from? Will traces of our existence be kept in museums as exhibits, or completely forgotten?

[Rebel]

As I would imagine most would argue, humans evolved from apes, so apes would either take our place or evolve yet again. And a few factors would define whether our existence was kept in museums or forgotten. It would come down between how we became extinct, how much time passed from our extinction to the evolution and rise of the next animal, and what type of civilization forms from the new "colonists". 

 

But I would guess our existence would only be known through the ruins of buildings and such, if the new animal were to fill it's role within maybe a thousand years. But outside of that, I believe out existence, history, etc would be forgotten/unknown.