Basic Chronology of Human Evolution CGU 4MI

6 million years ago (mya) Earliest date for evolution of first hominids (2 legged primate) in Africa

3.5 mya First fossil evidence of Australopithecus (first known hominid group) in east Africa

3 mya probable appearance of Homo habilis (first group in evolution towards modern humans) in east Africa; evidence of first tools

1.8 mya First evidence of Homo erectus (larger brain than Homo habilis) in east Africa

1.5 mya Evidence of Homo erectus in Europe and of chipped stone instruments in Africa; Pleistocene period begins (marked by global temperature fluctuations)

700,000 years ago (ya) First evidence of chipped stone instruments in Europe

400,000 ya Homo erectus uses fire and develops strategy for hunting large game; first appearance of archaic Homo sapiens (termed ‘archaic’ because brains were only 85% size of modern humans; this included the group Neanderthal )

100,000 ya Appearance of Homo sapiens sapiens (anatomically modern humans) in Africa only (‘replacement hypothesis’ suggests that this evolution occurred in Africa and then spread throughout the world, replacing existing archaic groups) From this point on human evolution becomes cultural, not biological

80,000 ya Beginnings of the most recent glacial period

40,000 ya Arrival of humans in Australia

25,000 to 15,000 ya Arrival of humans in America

12,000 ya First permanent settlements; earth’s population estimated at 4 million Plymouth, Mass in 1600s – first European settlement in North America

10,000 years ago End of most recent glacial period; beginning of Holocene period

Let’s finish with some perspective… Imagine placing a football where today’s note began; nudge the ball ever so slightly forward and we’d be celebrating a touchdown. Humans have been around for a mind numbingly short time!