Fossils of the family Hominidae

Australopithecus afarensis•3.9-3my•375-550 cc•Chimp-like skull with human-like teeth•post cranial skeletal structure morehuman-like•Bipedal•Africa

Lucy Junvenile Specimen

Australopithecus africanus•3-2 my•Very much like A. afarensis, but larger bodyand brain size.•420-500cc•jaw parabolic•Bipedal•Africa

Australopithecus africanus

Homo habilis “handy man”•2.4-1.5 my•500-800cc•Brain shape more human than Australopithecus•Face projects less than Australopithecus•Post cranial very human-like•First evidence of tool use •Africa

Oldwalan tools

Homo habilis

Homo erectus•1.8my to 300,000•Face still protrudes, thick eyebrows, no chin•750-1225cc•Post cranial=human•Evidence they used fire•Africa, Asia, and Europe•Tools more sophisticated than H. habilis

Homo erectus

H. erectus toolsAcheulean handaxes

Homo sapiens neaderthalensis•230,000-30,000 yrs•1450cc•Protruding jaw and receding forhead•mid-facial protrusion•Post cranial human-like and heavy•First evidence of burials•Tools more sophisticated than H. erectus•Evidence of medical care•Europe and Middle East

Homo sapiens neanderthanlensis

Tools by H. sapiensMousterian Tools

Homo sapiens Modern•1350cc•195,000 yrs ago-today•Cro-Magnon 40,000 yrs tools become more sophisticated, made out of a varietyof materials such as bone, wood and antlers•First carved figures of animals and people•20,000 yrs first cave paintings•Over the last 100,000 yrs jaws and teeth have reduced and the skeletal structure hasbecome less robust.10,000 yrs Agriculture

Homo sapiens Cro-Magnon

Needle made of bone

As cranial size became larger, females with wider hips are more likely to survive childbirth; however, there is a limit to the widthof hips and staying bipedal. Thus babieswho are born more immature are favored.

Homo erectus Homo sapiens Cro-Magnon

Cave Painting Lascaux France

Websites

Time Space Chart

Summary of Hominid Line

Hominid Species