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The first known hominin emeriged in Africa about 7 million ago. Its canine teeth were smaller than earlier apes.
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Another species lived in East Africa. Its thighbone suggests upright walking.
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A toe bone from this species also points to bipedalism. The ability to walk on two feet evolved long before other human-like traits, such as big brains.
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Fossils showthat even as they walked upright, hominins were still tree climbers.
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But around 4 million year ago, grasping feet were lost.
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Multiple hominin species lived simultaneously. Sometimes their ranges overlopped.
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Multiple hominin species lived simultaneously. Sometimes their ranges overlopped.
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By 3 million years ago, hominins were living in southern Africa. Tools allowed hominins to adapt to new environments.
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The firts known stone tools were produced in Ethiopia. They may have been produced by Homo habilis, a member of the genus Homo-our own group.
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About 2 million years ago, Homo erectus became the first hominin to migrate out of Africa. Homo erectus had human-like traits: lage brain, dexterous fingers, long legs.
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By 800,000 years ago, advances in cooking were fueling further brain growth.
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Our own species, Homo sapiens, emerged in Africa about 200,000 years ago. Homo sapiens lived alongside -and interbred with- other hominin species. Homo sapiens were highly adaptable, quickly filling nearly ever geographic niche.
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