Human Evolution

  • 1 CE

    Sahelanthrus tchadensis

    Weak prognathism (almost no snout), small canine, human like foramen magnum.
    North Africa.
    7 - 6Ma.
  • 2

    Orrorin tugenesis

    Thick enamel, proximal femur human like.
    East Africa.
    6Ma
  • 3

    Ardipithecus species

    Small canines, Non sectorial P3, foward placed foramen.
    East Africa.
    5.8 - 4.4 Ma
  • 4

    Australopithecus anamensis

    Thick enamel, expanded tibia plateau, primitive dental characteristics.
    East Africa.
    4.2-3.9 Ma
  • 5

    Australopithecus afarensis

    Cranium: Small brain, prognathous (has a snout), large canines, u shape dental arcade, semi sectorial P3,
    Post Cranium: funnel shaped rib cage, ape limb proportions, long curved phalanges, valgus knee, partial bowl shape.
    Lived in woodlands and grasslands. Primitive bipedalism, climbing ability. Likely know human like speech.
    Lucy.
    East Africa.
    3.9-2.9 Ma
  • 6

    Australopithecus africanus

    Lime stone caves, breccias makes difficult to excavate. Dated with biostratigraphy. Taung child found by Raymond Dart and Mrs. Ples.
    Slightly prognathous, U shape dental arcade, slightly larger brain, human like foramen mangum, small canines, non sectoral P3
    curved phalanges, ape like limb proportions, walk with flex hips. Forest/woodland, fruits and leaves.
    South Africa.
    3.5-2 Ma
  • 7

    Australopithecus garhi

    Cranium similar to Africanus, curved phalanges, human like limb porportions.
    East Africa.
    2.5 Ma.
  • 8

    Australopithecus sediba

    Small brain, human like limb proportions, human face, pelvis and dental.
    South Africa.
    1.97-1.78 Ma.
  • 9

    Paranthropus species

    Robust Australopithecines, sagittal crest in males, thick lower jaw, small incisors and canines, megadont, flaring zygomatic arches (cheek bones), wide flat face
    climbing ability, bipedal, precision grip.
    Gallery forest (forests form corridor along water) and Savannah. Dietary specialists: nuts and seeds.
    East and South Africa.
    2.7-1.5 Ma
  • 10

    Homo rudolfensis

    Larger brain, large flat face. Two different species: strong differences from hablis (larger).
    East Africa.
    2.1-1.79 Ma.
  • 11

    Homo hablis

    Larger brains, rounded gracile cranium (softer), smaller posterier teeth
    ape like limb porportions, persision grip, bipedalism.
    No game hunting, some scavenging, tool maker. Possible language: broca area but short pharynx, small vertebral canal.
    East and South Africa.
    1.9-1.44 (2.8?) Ma.
  • 12

    Homo egaster

    Thinner cranial bones, less pronounced brow ridges, small brain, long legs, short stature.
    Africa and R. Georgia.
    1.8-1 Ma.
  • 13

    Homo erectus

    Homo erectus
    Cranium: larger brain, low forehead, occipital torus, pentalgonal head shape, Supra-orbital torus, supra-toral sulcus, sagittal keel . Post Cranium: barrel shaped rib, human limb proportions, bowl pelvis, thick cortical bone, strong muscle attachment, robust, large nasal, smaller posterior teeth, less robust mandible, taller. Africa (migrate north/south, colde decreasing temperatures), tools (Oldowan/Acheulean), fire, cave shelters, likely hunting (meat). Possible language. Africa, Asia, Europe.
  • 14

    Homo heidelbergensis

    Early: Acheulean
    Late: Levallois
    Cranium: Separated brow ridge, larger brains, no occipital toris, less prognathous, smaller teeth, short high round craniums
    Post cranium: less robust
    Big game hunters, spears, grassland and forests, caves and rock shelters, fires and hearths
    Multiple Species(?): Homo antecessor, Homo rhodesiensis
    Africa, Europe, Asia(?).
    0.8-0.1 Ma.
  • 15

    Homo neanderthals

    Cranium: SO torus - double arch, Mid face prognathous, occipital bun, occipital torus, oval cranium, receding foreheads, taurodont teeth, worn/shoveling front teeth, retromolar gap
    Post Cranium: robust, short limbs
    Fair skin, bergmens/allens rule (climate)
    Mousterian, caves and shelters, hunters, Shanidar cave (care of the dead), Art and music (flute), Fire. Rather human like speach: anatomical almost modern
    Europe, Middle East, Asia
    Pre-classic: 0.3-0.15 Ma.
    Classics: 0.15-0.027 Ma.
  • 16

    Homo sapiens

    Cranium: short high round, large brains, no occipital torus or bun, small flat face, small teeth and jaw, chin
    Post Cranium: less robust
    Microliths, more varied diet, burials, figurtive art, more elaborate shelters, language
    Migrate from Africa(?)
    since 0.2 Ma
  • 17

    Homo naledi

    Cranium: Small brain,
    Australopithecus like traits: phalanges, pelvis, rib cage, shoulder
    Homo like traits: wrist, palm, legs, ankles, feet
    No time frame
    Not sure whether Australopithecus or Homo
    South Africa
  • 18

    Homo floresiensis

    Insular dwarfism (Short), Microcephalic (small brains), simple stone tools.
    From Homo erectus or other species
    Indonesia

    0.75-0.17 Ma
  • 19

    Denisovans

    West Asia
    0.05-0.03 Ma