Human Evolution

Hominins

A term to describe modern humans, extinct human species and all of our immediate primate ancestors.

Neanderthal Culture

Complex intelligence, stone and bone tools, culture, early religion. Out competed by Homo Sapiens who they also shared culture and interbred with.

Homo Habilis

Evolved around 2 million years ago. Made more complex stone tools. "The Toolmaker"

Homo Neanderthals

Evolved around 400,000 BCE and went extinct around 40,000 BCE. The "Other Human" Migrated out of Africa and evolved in Eurasia.

Archaeological Evidence (Primary Sources):

Fossils, artifacts, tools, human waste/trash, ruins, cave art (petroglyph)/artwork. Oral history.

"Lucy"

Hominin who was bipedal and starting to look and act more humanlike. Living roughly 4 million years ago. A good example of a primate half way between chimps and modern humans.

"Ardi"

Hominin who was starting to become more bipedal, but also adapted for living in the trees. Living roughly 5 million years ago. A good example of a transition between a tree living primate and a bipedal primate.

2 million BCE

Homo species develop and evolve.

Smaller Teeth over time.

Less chewing, eating more processed food (stone tools and fire)

Hairlessness over time.

Less fur and hair over time. Use of clothing and fire use.

Homo Erectus

Longest living Homo species, living roughly for 1 million years. "Master of Fire" and first Hominin to migrate out of Africa and settle in Eurasia.

200,000 BCE

Modern Humans (Homo Sapiens) emerge

Homo Sapiens

Modern Humans. Evolved roughly 200,000 BCE. Migrated out of Africa all over the world. Only Homo species alive today.

Increasing Skull Size

More intelligence over time (stone tool use, eating more meat)

7 million BCE

Split with common ancestor of chimps.

Anthropology

The scientific study of primates, humans, culture and their ancestors. Both past and present.

Evolution

Theory is based on the idea that all species are related and gradually change over time. Made famous by Charles Darwin.

4 million

Transition to bipedalism and larger brains, early tool use.

Paleolithic Age

literally meaning "Old Stone" Age, roughly 2.5million years ago to 10,000 BCE. This Age included the Ice Ages. This is the period of time that pre-humans and modern humans evolved.

Africa

the continent where hominins originated and evolved.

Bipedalism

walking upright full time on two feet - "S" Shaped Spine, hips, longer arched feet