Most distant human ancestor Sahelanthropus tchadensis 7 million years ago Most distant human ancestor 2001 Chad

Walked on two feet (biped), lived in groups, cared for young Australopithecus afarensis - Lucy 3 million years ago Walked on two feet (biped), lived in groups, cared for young

Hadar, Ethiopia 1973

“Jack-of-all-trades”, Stones tools, Eats meat, Bigger brain, Had ideas Homo Habilis 2 million years ago “Jack-of-all-trades”, Stones tools, Eats meat, Bigger brain, Had ideas

Chad Lucy Habilis

Homo Ergaster 1.5 million years ago Good cooling system –Sweat gland, Less hair, Large brain, Better stone tools, Communicate by voice, Interpret their environment well, Able to read others emotions, Visible white of their eyes.

Chad Lucy Habilis Ergaster

First Hominid to leave Africa and move into Europe and Asia Homo Erectus 1.5 million years ago First Hominid to leave Africa and move into Europe and Asia

Lucy Habilis Erectus

Homo erectus fossils

Homo heidelbergensis 500,000 year ago Large brains may have given rise to Homo neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens Fossils found from Africa to northern Europe

Homo heidelbergensis

It is believed 40% of our DNA is Neanderthal in origin. Homo neanderthalensis 500,000 year ago Very tough, lived in extreme conditions as glaciers left Europe after ice age. It is believed 40% of our DNA is Neanderthal in origin.

Homo neanderthalensis

Neanderthal fossil first found : Engis, Belgium 1829

Homo Sapien Omo, Ethiopia 1967 175,000 years ago

Brow ridge disappears as skull shapes changes to accommodate larger brain. Homo sapien Neanderthal

wind DRY Rift Valley

winds Desert Rift Valley Rain Forest Savanna WHY ?