This document describes the key characteristics of several early human ancestors from Ardipithecus ramidus 4.4 million years ago to Homo sapiens (modern humans) from 120,000 years ago, noting traits like brain size, locomotion, tool use, and the geographic locations of fossil discoveries that help illustrate human evolution over time from more primitive to modern features. The hominid species described include Australopithecus, Homo habilis, Homo erectus, Homo heidelbergensis, Homo neanderthalensis, and Homo sapiens.
10. Structure
Comparative Adjectives
Comparative adjectives are used when describing the
differences between ONLY two items.
S + V to be + adj er + than
S + V to be + more + adj + than
For example
H. habilis had a brain that was larger than the largest
Autralopithecus brain, but smaller than the Homo
erectus brain.
11. For example
Neanderthal's brain was larger than the brain of living
humans, although its shape was longer from front to
back and not as rounded in the front.
The brain was enclosed in a skull that was more
rounded than H. erectus'.
13. Ardipithecus ramidus
The most primitive hominid yet found,
this species has more chimpanzee-like
features than any other human
ancestor.
Ardipithecus ramidus may have walked
upright.
Other fossils discovered with a
ramidus suggest that the species lived
in the forest.
4.4 million years ago
first fossils found 1992
14. Australopithecus anamensis
Exhibiting some chimp-like
characteristics, A. anamensis'
jaws are more primitive than
those of later hominids.
And yet, its humerus (an arm
bone) is quite human-like.
Characteristics of its tibia
(a lower leg bone) indicate that
A. anamensis walked on two feet.
4.2 - 3.9 million years ago
first fossils found 1965
15. Australopithecus afarensis
This species includes "Lucy," the 3.2
million year old fossil found by Donald
Johanson. A. afarensis' small
braincases and relatively large teeth
and chewing muscles are similar to
those of chimpanzees. However, their
teeth, as well as their leg and pelvis
bones, exhibit human-like
characteristics. They ranged in height
from three and a half feet to five feet
and walked upright.
3.5 - 2.9 million years ago
first fossils found 1973
16. Australopithecus africanus
Although similar in many ways to A.
afarensis, this species had a slightly
larger brain (but still only slightly
larger than a chimp's brain), smaller
canine teeth, and larger molars.
The wear of the teeth suggests that
A. africanus ate fruits and foliage.
3.0 - 2.4 million years ago
first fossils found 1924
17. Australopithecus robustus
Believed to be roughly the same
size as A. afarensis, A. robustus had
a large, "robust" (heavier, thicker)
skull, as well as a jaw and large
teeth that were well adapted to
chewing.
Like some present-day apes, this
species had a "sagittal crest" (a
ridge running from front to back on
the top of the skull) from which
muscles running to the jaw were
attached.
2.1 - 1.6 million years ago
first fossils found 1938
18. Australopithecus boisei
A. boisei is similar to A. robustus,
except that its skull and teeth are even
larger.
Some experts consider the two closely
related, both branching from another
species called A. aethiopicus.
Others believe A. robustus evolved
from A. africanus.
Like all of the other Autralopithecus
species, A. boisei walked upright.
2.3 - 1.1 million years ago
first fossils found 1959
19. Homo habilis
Homo habilis, which actually means
"handy man," is apparently the first
species to make and use primitive
stone tools.
About five feet tall and weighing 100
pounds, H. habilis had a brain that was
larger than the largest Autralopithecus
brain, but smaller than the Homo
erectus brain.
2.4 - 1.5 million years ago
first fossils found 1960
20. Homo erectus
The first example of Homo erectus, known as "Java Man," was discovered in
Indonesia in 1893. Fossil remains of Homo erectus have since been found
throughout Africa and Asia, making it the first wide-ranging hominid.
Despite the primitive appearance of its skull, the erectus skeleton is very
similar to that of modern humans, although more robust (thicker and
heavier). Homo erectus was probably the first hominid to use fire.
1.8 million years ago - 300,000 years ago
first fossils found 1893
21. Homo sapiens (archaic)
Also known as Homo heidelbergensis, this
species has a brain that was larger than H.
erectus' and smaller than that of a modern
human. The brain was enclosed in a skull
that was more rounded than H. erectus'.
Fossil remains of archaic Homo sapiens have
been found in Africa and Europe.
500,000 - 200,000 years ago
first fossil found in 1921
22. Homo sapiens neanderthalensis
Averaging five and a half feet in height
and possessing short limbs,
Neanderthals were well-adapted to
living in a cold climate. Attached to
their robust (thick and heavy) bones
were powerful muscles. The
Neanderthal's brain was larger than the
brain of living humans, although its
shape was longer from front to back
and not as rounded in the front.
230,000 - 30,000 years ago
first fossil found in 1856
23. Homo sapiens
(modern)
Modern Homo sapiens, also known as
Homo sapiens sapiens, have been
around for the past 120,000 years.
Homo sapiens living about 40,000 years
ago made elaborate tools out of bone,
antler, ivory, stone, and wood, and
produced fine artwork in the form of
carvings and cave paintings.
120,000 years ago - present
first "Cro-Magnon" specimens found in
1868
25. Role-play
-make a group of 4
-send 1 representative of your group to pick up a piece
of color paper
-act to describe the all feathers about the name of age
that you have got
-come in front of the class to perform