Hominid Evolution Timeline Thayer Sundol

million years ago Ardipithecus ramidus, Ardi Not yet a direct link to humans, but research is being done. Feet made for bi-pedal walking, not hanging from trees like monkeys. Transition between apes and humans.

million years ago Australopithecus afarensis, Lucy Lucy walked on 2 legs She had a slightly larger brain than apes and chimpanzees Earliest known common ancestor before Ardi.

Million years ago Australopithecus africanus Larger brain size and more human like facial features.

Million years ago Homo habilis Used stone tools Tools made it possible to venture further out of the Savannah Lost more hair making it look human like

Million years ago Homo ergaster Co-existed with H. habilis for around thousand years Used advanced tools than that of its predecessor H. erectus

Million years ago Homo georgicus Was intermediate between H. habilis and H. erectus Had a brain about half the size of modern humans

Million years ago Homo erectus Spread out of Africa into asia Used the same tools like that of H. ergaster H. ergaster and H. erectus may be the same species

1.2Mya-500 thousand years ago Homo antecessor First European homonid Possibly earliest descendent of humans in Europe Slightly smaller brain size than modern humans

thousand years ago Homo heidelbergensis Direct ancestor of H. neaderthalensis and H. sapiens. Primitive speech, and buried the dead.

thousand years ago Homo neanderthalensis Co-existed with H. sapiens until neanderthals went extinct. Different species than H. sapiens Left H. sapiens as the last Homo species on the planet.

200thousand years ago to present Homo sapiens Developed alongside neanderthals Is exactly like us with a few differences with the earlier humans.