Early Hominins and Human Evolution

Hominin Species

Early Hominins

• Emerged around 6-8 million years ago
• Characteristics:
  • Bipedalism (upright walking)
  • Brain size similar to chimpanzees
  • Dental structure similar to modern humans

Sahelanthropus Tchadensis (7 million years ago)

• One of the earliest known hominins
• Found in West Africa
• Characteristics:
  • Mix of ape-like and human-like features
  • Bipedal, but still had ape-like arms

Orrorin Tugenensis (6 million years ago)

• Found in Kenya
• Characteristics:
  • More human-like than Sahelanthropus
  • Bipedal, with evidence of walking upright

Ardipithecus (5.6-4.4 million years ago)

• Found in East Africa
• Characteristics:
  • More advanced than Orrorin
  • Bipedal, with evidence of walking upright
  • Brain size slightly larger than chimpanzees

Australopithecus (4-2 million years ago)

• Found in East and South Africa
• Characteristics:
  • More advanced than Ardipithecus
  • Bipedal, with robust pelvis and leg bones
  • Brain size slightly larger than Ardipithecus
  • Diet consisted of plants and possibly meat

Australopithecus Afarensis (3.9-2.9 million years ago)

• Found in East Africa
• Characteristics:
  • Famous fossil "Lucy" belongs to this species
  • Bipedal, with evidence of walking upright
  • Brain size similar to chimpanzees
  • Diet consisted of plants and possibly meat

Homo Habilis (2.8-1.4 million years ago)

• Found in Africa
• Characteristics:
  • First species to use tools
  • Brain size larger than Australopithecus
  • Diet consisted of meat and plants

Homo Erectus (1.8-70,000 years ago)

• Found in Africa, Asia, and Europe
• Characteristics:
  • Controlled fire and cooked food
  • Brain size larger than Homo Habilis
  • Diet consisted of meat and plants
  • First human ancestor to migrate out of Africa

Early Hominins

• Emerged around 6-8 million years ago
• Characterized by bipedalism, brain size similar to chimpanzees, and dental structure similar to modern humans

Sahelanthropus Tchadensis

• Lived 7 million years ago in West Africa
• Mixed ape-like and human-like features
• Bipedal, but still had ape-like arms

Orrorin Tugenensis

• Lived 6 million years ago in Kenya
• More human-like than Sahelanthropus
• Bipedal, with evidence of walking upright

Ardipithecus

• Lived 5.6-4.4 million years ago in East Africa
• More advanced than Orrorin
• Bipedal, with evidence of walking upright
• Brain size slightly larger than chimpanzees

Australopithecus

• Lived 4-2 million years ago in East and South Africa
• More advanced than Ardipithecus
• Bipedal, with robust pelvis and leg bones
• Brain size slightly larger than Ardipithecus
• Diet consisted of plants and possibly meat

Australopithecus Afarensis

• Lived 3.9-2.9 million years ago in East Africa
• Famous fossil "Lucy" belongs to this species
• Bipedal, with evidence of walking upright
• Brain size similar to chimpanzees
• Diet consisted of plants and possibly meat

Homo Habilis

• Lived 2.8-1.4 million years ago in Africa
• First species to use tools
• Brain size larger than Australopithecus
• Diet consisted of meat and plants

Homo Erectus

• Lived 1.8-70,000 years ago in Africa, Asia, and Europe
• Controlled fire and cooked food
• Brain size larger than Homo Habilis
• Diet consisted of meat and plants
• First human ancestor to migrate out of Africa