HUMAN EVOLUTION

1. Australopithecus Afarensis
About 3.9 – 2.55 million years ago, Australopithecus Afarensis were the
earliest forms of hominids.
Archaeologists dug up fossils in the Afar Triangle of Africa, hence the name
“Afarensis”.
Because of the importance of this discovery, it’s nicknamed “Lucy”.
Australopithecus Afarensis was about 3 feet tall.
It walked on two legs (biped) and had its hands free to defend from
predators.
2. Australopithecus Africanus
Australopithecus Africanus are the first of early ape species classified as
hominids.
They existed for about 3.5 – 2.45 million years ago found only in South
Africa.
Australopithecus Africanus were known for their slender build.
They were bipeds with curved fingers for tree climbing. They had slightly
longer arms than legs.
3. Homo Habilis
Homo Habilis was nicknamed “handyman” because of their ability to carve
tools.
They used rocks to cut and animal bones to dig into the soil.
About 2.35 – 1.5 million years ago, they had larger brains which helped
their survival.
They stood at 4 feet tall and walked on 2 feet.
4. Homo Rudolfensis
Homo Rudolfensis lived from 2.3 – 1.5 million years ago.
This species was found in Lake Rudolf in Kenya.
There’s been controversy whether it’s a separate species from Homo
Habilis.
The main difference between the two is the larger brain case size from
Homo Rudolfensis.
5. Homo Gautengensis
Homo Gautengensis had big teeth for chewing plants.
They consumed more vegetables and likely had smaller brains.
About 2.0 – 1.0 million years ago, this type of hominid was discovered in
South Africa.
They also may have used fire and stone tools.
6. Homo Ergaster
The nickname for Homo Ergaster is “Working man”.
This is because they built more sophisticated stone tools. For example,
archaeologists often discovered hand-axes and cleavers near skeletons
found.
About 1.6 – 1.3 million years ago, Homo Ergaster lived in South Africa.
They became extinct only after a relatively short period of time.
7. Homo Erectus
Homo Erectus “Upright man” stood about 5 and a half feet in height.
They were good at waking and running, used fire and built shelters to
protect from elements.
About 1.35 – 0.7 million years ago, Homo Erectus were found along
southern coast of Asia.
They were believed to have larger brains because they ate more meat.
8. Homo Erectus Pekinesis
Homo Erectus Pekinesis existed 1.25 – 0.3 million years ago.
They are known as “Peking Man” because these fossils were mostly found
near Beijing (Peking).
Archaeologists tend to find a large number of stone tools around Homo
Erectus Pekinesis.
These extinct homonids were known to have heavy browridges.
9. Homo Antecessor
Homo Antecessor are recognized as “Human Pioneer” due to belief they
belonged to first human population in Europe.
About 1.2 – 0.65 million years ago, Homo Antecessor were present in
Western Europe.
They had a combination of modern and primitive traits and may have
practiced cannibalism.
10. Homo Erectus Soloensis
Homo Erectus Soloensis’ nickname is “Solo man”.
They resemble “Java man” and “Peking man” but now are extinct.
About 1.0 – 0.15 million years ago, this type of hominid was found in
Indonesian on the Island of Java.
11. Homo Heidelber-Gensis
Archaeologists found fossils of Homo Heidelber-gensis near Heidelberg
Germany.
They are most notable for possibly burying their dead.
About 0.7-0.4 million years ago, Homo Heidelber-gensis existed in both
Africa and Europe.
They were found to have craniums in the lower range of modern humans.
12. Homo Helmei
Homo Helmei we first discovered in South Africa.
They are known for their out of Africa movement.
About 0.4 – 0.2 million years ago, Homo Helmei existed only for a short
period of time.
Their brain volume is slightly larger than modern humans.
13. Homo Neander-Thalensis
The short term for Homo Neander-thalensis is “Neanderthals”.
They were first found in Germany but they also lived in Africa, Asia and
Europe.
For over 10,000 years, neanderthals lived with modern humans.
Neanderthals existed 500-25 thousand years ago.
They were short, strong and we skilled at making tools. They were good at
working together because they surrounded animals when they hunted.
14. Homo Sapiens
Homo sapiens were known for artistic talents in cave paintings and clay
work.
They made hooks and spears to catch fish and invented the spear thrower.
Thus, it made them better hunters because they could hunt from a distance.
About 160-40 thousand years ago, the “doubly wise man” were the recent
form of modern humans “homo sapiens sapiens”.
Eventually, modern humans invented more complex language, practiced
agriculture and built cities.