Human Evolution and Genus Homo

What primary feature distinguishes hominids from other species?

Which of the following species is considered the oldest among those classified within the genus Homo?

What significant development allowed Homo erectus to migrate out of Africa?

What was the name given to the oldest complete human skeleton discovered in Ethiopia?

What was the approximate age of the oldest hominid fossil found in Ethiopia at Aramis?

Human Evolution

All humans belong to the species Homo sapiens, which evolved from a common ancestor in the Homo genus.
Hominids, an ancestral group to humans, are characterized by bipedalism (walking upright on two feet).
The earliest known hominid fossil, dated at 4.4 million years old, was discovered in Aramis, Ethiopia.
A subsequent fossil, Australopithecus afarensis, was followed by "Lucy", an almost complete Australopithecus skeleton found in Ethiopia, dated to around 3.2 million years old.

Genus Homo

The genus Homo includes three distinct species: Homo habilis, Homo erectus, and Homo sapiens.
Homo habilis, considered the oldest Homo species, had a nickname "handy human" due to the tools they used.
Homo habilis fossils were found in the Omo Valley, Ethiopia.
Homo erectus, meaning "upright human", emerged approximately 2 million years ago.
Homo erectus developed larger and more diverse tools than their predecessors.
Homo erectus were the first hominids to migrate out of Africa to Europe and Asia, facilitated by their ability to control fire.
Homo erectus fossils have been found in the Omo Basin, Melka-Kunture, Konso–Gardula, and Middle Awash, Ethiopia.

Test your knowledge on human evolution and the Genus Homo. This quiz covers important milestones in the evolution of Homo sapiens and key species such as Homo habilis and Homo erectus. Explore the fascinating history of our ancestors and their distinctive traits.