📊 Scientific data

Scientific name: 🧬
Plesiadapis Plesiadapis

Period: ⏳
~66–55 million years ago (Pliocene)

Location: 📍
Europe and North America 🌍

Type: 🧾
An ancient primate-like mammal 🐿️🌿

🧾 Description

The Plesiadapis was a small mammal 🐾
With a squirrel-like body and a long tail 🧩

His jaws and teeth were strong ⚠️
Adapted to eating fruits, seeds and sometimes insects 🌿

Unlike modern primates,
His eyes weren't fully turned forward 👀

Considered one of the closest creatures to the first primates,
But not a real primate 🧬

Represented an early stage in development
Which led to monkeys and humans 🌍

🌍 Where is it located?

Ancient forests 🌳
With tall trees and an environment rich in vegetation 🌿

📚 Sources – Plesiadapis

🔬 Scientific sources
Smithsonian Institution – Human Origins Program
https://humanorigins.si.edu
Natural History Museum (London)
https://www.nhm.ac.uk
Encyclopaedia Britannica – Plesiadapis
https://www.britannica.com

📖 Research and publications
Gingerich, P.D. (1976)
Early primate evolution and Plesiadapis
Bloch, J.I. & Boyer, D.M. (2002)
Grasping primate origins

🌍 General information
Plesiadapis is considered one of the earliest mammals close to the evolution of primates,
and lived after the extinction of the dinosaurs in the Paleocene epoch.

⚠️ Scientific discussion
There is controversy among researchers as to whether Plesiadapis is a true primate.
Or just an early relative of the primate group.

💡 Hypotheses
It is possible that the evolution of the features of Plesiadapis
Contributed to grasping and vision abilities that later evolved in primates.

📊 Scientific data

Scientific name: 🧬
Aegyptopithecus zeuxis Aegyptopithecus zeuxis

Period: ⏳
~33–29 million years ago (Oligocene)

Location: 📍
Africa 🌍 (mainly Fayum Depression region, Egypt 🇪🇬)

Type: 🧾
Ancient primate – ancestor of apes and humans 🐒

🧾 Description

Aegyptopithecus was a medium-sized ancient primate 🐾
With a monkey-like body and a long tail 🧩

His brain was relatively small, but more developed than that of earlier primates 🧠

His eyes faced forward, allowing for 3D vision 👀
Important ability for moving between trees 🌳

Feeds on fruits, leaves and sometimes insects 🌿

Considered one of the most important stages in evolution
Which led to apes and finally humans 🌍

🌍 Where is it located?

Ancient tropical forests 🌳
With dense trees and an environment rich in vegetation 🌿

📚 Sources – Plesiadapis

🔬 Scientific sources
Smithsonian Institution – Human Origins Program
https://humanorigins.si.edu
American Museum of Natural History
https://www.amnh.org
Encyclopaedia Britannica – Aegyptopithecus
https://www.britannica.com

📖 Research and publications
Simons, E. L. (1965)
The early anthropoids of Egypt
Fleagle, J.G. (2013)
Primate Adaptation and Evolution

🌍 General information
Aegyptopithecus zeuxis is an ancient primate that lived about 30 million years ago.
During the Oligocene epoch, and is considered one of the key stages in the evolution of great apes.

⚠️ Scientific discussion
There is controversy regarding its exact position in the evolutionary tree:
Is it closer to apes or modern monkeys?

💡 Hypotheses
Aegyptopithecus may represent an important transitional stage
Between ancient primates and advanced apes.

📊 Scientific data

Scientific name: 🧬
Proconsul Proconsul

Period: ⏳
~23–14 million years ago (Miocene)

Location: 📍
Africa 🌍 (mainly Kenya 🇰🇪 and Uganda 🇺🇬)

Type: 🧾
Ancient monkey – ancestors of apes 🐒

🧾 Description

Proconsul was a medium-sized ancient ape 🐾
Combined features of monkeys and apes 🧩

He didn't have a tail 🚫
An important characteristic of apes

His body was adapted for climbing trees 🌳
But not for hanging like modern apes

Its tooth structure is similar to that of apes 🦷
Which indicates the nutrition of fruits and vegetation 🌿

Considered one of the key stages
In the evolution of apes and humans 🌍

🌍 Where is it located?

Tropical forests 🌳
With an environment rich in trees and vegetation 🌿

📚 Sources – Proconsul

🔬 Scientific sources
Smithsonian Institution – Human Origins Program
https://humanorigins.si.edu
Natural History Museum
https://www.nhm.ac.uk
Encyclopaedia Britannica – Proconsul
https://www.britannica.com

📖 Research and publications
Leakey, L.S.B. (1948)
Discovery of Proconsul in East Africa
Walker, A. & Teaford, M. (1989)
The evolution of early apes and Proconsul

🌍 General information
Proconsul is an ancient ape that lived about 23–14 million years ago during the Miocene epoch,
and is considered one of the first ancestors of apes.

⚠️ Scientific discussion
There is controversy over whether Proconsul directly belongs to the ape lineage.
Or is it an ancient branch that developed simultaneously.

💡 Hypotheses
Proconsul may represent a transitional stage between primitive apes
and more advanced apes.

📊 Scientific data

Scientific name: 🧬
Ardipithecus (for example: Ardipithecus ramidus)

Period: ⏳
~5.8–4.4 million years ago (Late Miocene–Early Pliocene)

Location: 📍
Africa 🌍 (Ethiopia 🇪🇹)

Type: 🧾
Ancient hominin – an early ancestor of man 🧬

🧾 Description

Ardipithecus was a relatively small creature 🐾
A combination of monkey and human traits 🧩

Partially walked on two 🚶‍♂️
But also climbed trees 🌳

His feet included a separate toe for gripping 🦶
Similar to monkeys

His brain was relatively small 🧠
But his body structure indicates the beginning of the transition to upright walking.

Feeds on fruits, leaves and vegetation 🌿

Considered one of the most important steps
Understanding the transition from apes to humans 🌍

🌍 Where is it located?

Forests and semi-wooded environments 🌳
A combination of trees and open areas 🌿

📚 Sources – Ardipithecus

🔬 Scientific sources
Smithsonian Institution – Human Origins Program
https://humanorigins.si.edu
Nature - Ardipithecus research papers
https://www.nature.com
Encyclopaedia Britannica – Ardipithecus
https://www.britannica.com

📖 Research and publications
White, T.D. et al. (2009)
Ardipithecus ramidus and the paleobiology of early hominids (Nature)
Lovejoy, CO (2009)
Reexamining human origins through Ardipithecus

🌍 General information
Ardipithecus lived about 4.4 million years ago and is considered one of the earliest hominins.
It displays a combination of ape-like and early human traits.

⚠️ Scientific discussion
There is controversy about the way he walks:
Did he walk fully upright or incorporate movement on trees?

💡 Hypotheses
Ardipithecus may represent a critical transitional stage
In the development of bipedal walking in humans.

📊 Scientific data

Scientific name: 🧬
Sahelanthropus tchadensis

Period: ⏳
~7–6 million years ago (Late Miocene)

Location: 📍
Africa 🌍 (Chad 🇹🇩)

Type: 🧾
Very ancient hominin – one of the first in the human lineage 🧬

🧾 Description

Sahelanthropos was one of the earliest hominins 🐾
Very close to the split point between apes and humans 🧩

His skull is relatively small 🧠
But the facial structure is flatter compared to monkeys

Location of the cranial opening (foramen magnum) ⚠️
Indicates the possibility of partially upright walking 🚶‍♂️

Its teeth are relatively small 🦷
With less prominent fangs than monkeys

Feeds on vegetation, fruits and perhaps a variety of foods 🌿

Considered one of the earliest candidates
To an ancestor of man 🌍

Famous find: "Tomai" 🦴
A nearly complete skull discovered in Chad

🌍 Where is it located?

Areas of open savannahs 🌍
With a combination of lakes, forests and grass 🌿🌳

📖 Discovery

Discovered in 2001 in Chad

By an international research team

The famous fossil is called "Tomai"

📚 Sources – Sahelanthropus tchadensis

🔬 Scientific sources
Smithsonian Institution – Human Origins Program
https://humanorigins.si.edu
Nature – Sahelanthropus discovery papers
https://www.nature.com
Encyclopaedia Britannica – Sahelanthropus
https://www.britannica.com

📖 Research and publications
Brunet, M. et al. (2002)
A new hominid from the Upper Miocene of Chad, Central Africa (Nature)
Brunet, M. et al. (2005)
New material of Sahelanthropus tchadensis

🌍 General information
Sahelanthropos chadensis lived about 7 million years ago and is considered one of the earliest hominins,
It may be very close to the split point between humans and apes.

⚠️ Scientific discussion
There is controversy as to whether it actually walks on two legs (bipedal),
And whether it belongs directly to the human lineage.

💡 Hypotheses
Sahelanthropos may represent one of the earliest stages
In the development of man after the separation from the apes.

Scientific name: 🧬
Australopithecus afarensis Australopithecus afarensis

Period: ⏳
~3.9–2.9 million years ago (Pliocene)

Location: 📍
Africa 🌍 (Ethiopia 🇪🇹, Kenya 🇰🇪, Tanzania 🇹🇿)

Type: 🧾
Ancient hominin – human ancestors 🧬

🧾 Description

Australopithecus afarensis was relatively small 🐾
With a combination of monkey and human features 🧩

Walked upright on two legs 🚶‍♂️
But he was still able to climb trees 🌳

His arms were relatively long ⚠️
Adapted for climbing

His brain was relatively small 🧠
But the structure of the pelvis and legs indicate a clear bipedal gait.

Feeds on fruits, leaves and sometimes harder food 🌿

Considered one of the most important species
Understanding the development of upright walking in humans 🌍

Famous find: "Lucy" 🦴
A nearly complete skeleton of a female of this species

🌍 Where is it located?

Semi-open areas 🌍
A combination of savannas and trees 🌿🌳

📚 Sources – Australopithecus afarensis

🔬 Scientific sources
Smithsonian Institution – Human Origins Program
https://humanorigins.si.edu
Natural History Museum
https://www.nhm.ac.uk
Encyclopaedia Britannica – Australopithecus afarensis
https://www.britannica.com

📖 Research and publications
Johanson, DC & Taieb, M. (1976)
Discovery of Lucy (Australopithecus afarensis)
Johanson, DC & Edey, MA (1981)
Lucy: The Beginnings of Humankind

🌍 General information
Australopithecus afarensis lived about 3.9–2.9 million years ago,
And it is one of the most famous species in human evolution, mainly thanks to the fossil "Lucy."

⚠️ Scientific discussion
There is controversy about the level of its ability to climb trees,
And was it fully bipedal like modern humans?

💡 Hypotheses
This species may represent a key stage in the evolution of upright walking.
and the transition between ancient primates and humans.

📊 Scientific data

Scientific name: 🧬
Paranthropus boisei

Period: ⏳
~2.3–1.2 million years ago (Early Pleistocene)

Location: 📍
Africa 🌍 (Kenya 🇰🇪, Tanzania 🇹🇿, Ethiopia 🇪🇹)

Type: 🧾
Early hominin – a side branch in human evolution 🧬

🧾 Description

Paranthropus boisei had an exceptionally strong body structure 🐾
With a massive skull and powerful jaws 🧩

His teeth were very big ⚠️

Adapted for chewing hard food such as seeds and roots 🌿

He had a prominent sagittal ridge on his head 🦴
which was used to attach strong chewing muscles

His brain was relatively small 🧠

But he specialized in physical adaptations to eating

Considered the "Nutcracker Man" 🌰
Due to its tremendous chewing power

Not considered the direct father of man,
But to a branch that developed in parallel and became extinct 🌍

🌍 Where is it located?

Open areas 🌍
Savannahs with low vegetation and shrubs 🌿

📖 Discovery

Discovered in 1959

By Mary Leakey in Tanzania

(Famous fossil: "Zinj")

📚 Sources – Paranthropus boisei

🔬 Scientific sources
Smithsonian Institution – Human Origins Program
https://humanorigins.si.edu
Natural History Museum
https://www.nhm.ac.uk
Encyclopaedia Britannica – Paranthropus boisei
https://www.britannica.com

📖 Research and publications
Leakey, M.G. (1959)
Discovery of Zinjanthropus (Paranthropus boisei)
Wood, B. & Strait, D. (2004)
Patterns of cranial evolution in early hominins

🌍 General information

Paranthropus boisei lived about 2.3–1.2 million years ago,
And is famous for its strong jaw structure and large teeth, which were adapted to a tough diet.

⚠️ Scientific discussion

There is controversy about its exact diet —
Does it feed mainly on tough plants or a wider variety of food?

💡 Hypotheses

The strong jaw structure of Paranthropus boisei may have
It was an environmental adaptation to harsh and changing living conditions.

📊 Scientific data

Scientific name: 🧬
Australopithecus africanus

Period: ⏳
~3–2 million years ago (Late Pliocene–Early Pleistocene)

Location: 📍
Africa 🌍 (mainly South Africa 🇿🇦)

Type: 🧾
Ancient hominin – human ancestors 🧬

🧾 Description

Australopithecus africanus was small to medium-sized 🐾
With a combination of monkey and human features 🧩

Walked upright on two legs 🚶‍♂️

With a more advanced body structure than its ancient ancestors

His face was less protruding forward (less prudish) ⚠️
And his teeth are more like a human's 🦷

Its brain was slightly larger than early species 🧠
Which indicates evolutionary progress

Feeds on vegetation, fruits and sometimes hard food 🌿

Considered an important stage in development
Which led to the genus Homo 🌍

Famous find: "Taung Boy" 🦴
A child's skull that led to understanding the importance of gender

🌍 Where is it located?

Semi-open areas 🌍
A combination of savannas, forests and rocky areas 🌿🌳

📖 Discovery

Discovered in 1924

By Raymond Dart

Famous Fossil: "Taung Boy"

📚 Sources – Australopithecus africanus

🔬 Scientific sources
Smithsonian Institution – Human Origins Program
https://humanorigins.si.edu
Natural History Museum
https://www.nhm.ac.uk
Encyclopaedia Britannica – Australopithecus africanus
https://www.britannica.com

📖 Research and publications
Dart, R.A. (1925)
Discovery of the Taung Child (Australopithecus africanus)
Clarke, R.J. (1998)
Little Foot and Australopithecus africanus

🌍 General information

Australopithecus africanus lived about 2–3 million years ago,
and is considered one of the key species in the early development of man.

⚠️ Scientific discussion

There is controversy over its exact place in the human lineage,
And whether it is a direct ancestor of Homo or a side branch.

💡 Hypotheses

This species may have been an important transitional stage.
In the development of human traits such as facial and brain structure.

📊 Scientific data

Scientific name: 🧬

Homo habilis Homo habilis

Period: ⏳
~2.4–1.4 million years ago (Early Pleistocene)

Location: 📍
Africa 🌍 (Tanzania 🇹🇿, Kenya 🇰🇪, Ethiopia 🇪🇹)

Type: 🧾
Ancient man – one of the first in the genus Homo 🧬

🧾 Description

Homo habilis is considered one of the first human species 🧩
And his name means "the skilled man" ⚠️

Its brain volume was larger than that of Australopithecus 🧠
What indicates cognitive development?

His face was less prominent forward.
And his teeth are smaller 🦷

Use simple stone tools 🔪

(Oldovan culture)

Walked upright but still maintained climbing ability 🌳

We feed on meat and plants 🌿
He may have even used meat cutting tools.

Considered a key step in the transition
From early hominins to advanced humans 🌍

🌍 Where is it located?

Open savannas 🌍
With a combination of trees and dry areas 🌿🌳

📚 Sources – Homo habilis

🔬 Scientific sources
Smithsonian Institution – Human Origins Program
https://humanorigins.si.edu
Natural History Museum
https://www.nhm.ac.uk
Encyclopaedia Britannica – Homo habilis
https://www.britannica.com

📖 Research and publications
Leakey, L., Tobias, PV, & Napier, JR (1964)
A new species of the genus Homo from Olduvai Gorge
Wood, B. (1992)
Origin and evolution of the genus Homo

🌍 General information

Homo habilis lived about 2.4–1.4 million years ago,
and is considered one of the earliest human species, with evidence of the use of simple stone tools.

⚠️ Scientific discussion

There is controversy over whether Homo habilis truly belongs to the genus Homo,
Or it is a transition between Australopithecus and humans.

💡 Hypotheses

The use of tools may have improved cognitive development
and led to an increase in brain volume.

📊 Scientific data

Scientific name: 🧬
Homo naledi

Period: ⏳
~335,000–236,000 years ago (Pleistocene)

Location: 📍
Africa 🌍 (South Africa 🇿🇦)

Type: 🧾
Early man – a species in the genus Homo 🧬

🧾 Description

Homo naledi was very unique 🧩
Combine ancient and modern features together

His height was relatively low 🐾

With a thin body and long arms

His brain volume is relatively small 🧠
But his body structure is progressing.

Walked upright on two legs 🚶‍♂️

Similar to a modern person

His hands were adapted for gripping and climbing 🖐️🌳

Possible evidence of complex behavior found ⚠️
Like placing the dead in caves

Considered one of the most mysterious species
In human evolution 🌍

🌍 Where is it located?

Deep caves 🕳️
Like the Rising Star Cave system in South Africa 🌍

📚 Sources – Homo naledi

🔬 Scientific sources
Smithsonian Institution – Human Origins Program
https://humanorigins.si.edu
eLife – Homo naledi papers
https://elifesciences.org
Encyclopaedia Britannica – Homo naledi
https://www.britannica.com

📖 Research and publications
Berger, L.R. et al. (2015)
Homo naledi, a new species of the genus Homo (eLife)
Dirks, P.H.G.M. et al. (2017)
The age of Homo naledi and associated sediments

🌍 General information

Homo naledi lived about 335,000–236,000 years ago in South Africa,
and presents a unique combination of ancient and modern features.

⚠️ Scientific discussion

There is controversy about his behavior:
Is there a deliberate burial ritual — unusual for a relatively small brain?

💡 Hypotheses

Homo naledi may have evolved complex social behavior
Despite a relatively simple brain structure.

📊 Scientific data

Scientific name: 🧬
Homo floresiensis Homo floresiensis

Period: ⏳
~100,000–50,000 years ago (Late Pleistocene)

Location: 📍
Indonesia 🌍 (Flores Island 🇮🇩)

Type: 🧾
Early man – a species in the genus Homo 🧬

🧾 Description

Homo floresiensis was very small 🐾
It is only about 1 meter tall ⚠️

Sometimes referred to as "The Hobbit" 🧩
Due to its tiny size

His brain was relatively small 🧠
But use advanced stone tools 🔪

Lives in an isolated environment 🏝️
What led to the phenomenon of "island dwarfism"

Despite its size, it showed high survival abilities
And hunting small animals 🌍

Considered a unique branch in human evolution
Non-Homo sapiens

🌍 Where is it located?

Tropical environment 🌴
Forests and isolated island areas 🌿

📖 Discovery

Discovered in 2003

In the Liang Bua Cave on Flores Island

📚 Sources – Homo floresiensis

🔬 Scientific sources
Smithsonian Institution – Human Origins Program
https://humanorigins.si.edu
Nature - Flores discovery papers
https://www.nature.com
Encyclopaedia Britannica – Homo floresiensis
https://www.britannica.com

📖 Research and publications
Brown, P. et al. (2004)
A new small-bodied hominin from Flores, Indonesia (Nature)
Morwood, M.J. et al. (2005)
Further evidence of Homo floresiensis

🌍 General information

Homo floresiensis lived about 100,000–50,000 years ago on the island of Flores in Indonesia,
And it is famous for its extremely small size — only about 1 meter.

⚠️ Scientific discussion

There is controversy as to whether this is a separate human species.
Or in a modern person with a genetic disease (such as microcephaly).

💡 Hypotheses

This may be an example of the evolution of “island dwarfism”
As a result of prolonged geographical isolation.

📊 Scientific data

Scientific name: 🧬
Denisovans (Denisovans)

Period: ⏳
~300,000–50,000 years ago (Pleistocene)

Location: 📍
Asia 🌍 (Siberia 🇷🇺, Tibet 🇨🇳 and other regions)

Type: 🧾
Early man – species/group in the genus Homo 🧬

🧾 Description

The Denisovans are a group of ancient humans 🐾
Identified mainly through DNA 🧬

Very few fossils have been found ⚠️

Therefore, information about them is limited.

Were close to Neanderthals 🧩
but genetically different from them

Lived alongside Homo sapiens 🌍

And even multiplied with them

Some of the populations today
Carrying Denisovan DNA 🧬
Mainly in Asia and Oceania

Adapt to extreme environments ❄️
Like high altitudes (Tibet)

🌍 Where is it located?

Cold and mountainous areas ❄️🏔️
As well as diverse regions across Asia 🌍

📚 Sources – Denisovans

🔬 Scientific sources
Smithsonian Institution – Human Origins Program
https://humanorigins.si.edu
Nature - Denisovan genome research
https://www.nature.com
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
https://www.eva.mpg.de

📖 Research and publications
Reich, D. et al. (2010)
Genetic history of an archaic hominin group from Denisova Cave (Nature)
Meyer, M. et al. (2012)
A high-coverage genome sequence from a Denisovan individual

🌍 General information

The Denisovans are a group of ancient humans who lived tens of thousands of years ago in Asia,
and were discovered mainly through genetic research from Denisova Cave in Siberia.

⚠️ Scientific discussion

Very few fossils have been found, so most of the knowledge about them is based on DNA,
Which leads to disputes about their appearance and behavior.

💡 Hypotheses

Denisovans may have genetically interbred with modern humans,
and contributed to the genes of certain populations today.

📊 Data

Name: 🧬
Homo rhodesiensis

Period: ⏳
About 300,000 to about 125,000 years ago

Location: 📍
Africa 🌍 (mainly Zambia – Kabwe website)

Type: 🧾
Early human species / transitional stage between Homo heidelbergensis and Homo sapiens

🧾 Description

Homo rhodiumensis is considered one of the ancestors of modern humans in Africa.

and represents an advanced stage in the development of the human race

🦴 Skull characteristics

Relatively large skull

Brain volume of approximately 1200–1400 cc

Very thick and prominent eyebrow arch

Wide face

Strong jaw and large teeth

Low forehead

💪 Body structure

Strong and muscular body

Adapted to a changing environment

🧠 Abilities

Use of advanced stone tools 🪨

Hunting abilities

Complex social behavior

🔥 Culture

Fire control 🔥

Possible early use of symbols

🌍 Evolutionary importance

Considered an important relationship

👉 Between Homo heidelbergensis

👉 And Homo sapiens

📖 Discovery

Discovered in 1921

At the Kabwe (Broken Hill) site, Zambia

Famous fossil: Kabwe skull

📚 Sources – Homo rhodesiensis

🔬 Academic sources
Encyclopaedia Britannica – Homo rhodesiensis
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Homo-rhodesiensis

Smithsonian Institution – Human Origins
https://humanorigins.si.edu

Nature – Middle Pleistocene humans
https://www.nature.com

📖 Research and publications
Woodward, A. (1921)
Discovery of Broken Hill skull

Stringer, C. (2012)
The Origin of Our Species

Rightmire, G. (1998)
Human evolution in the Middle Pleistocene

🌍 General information

Homo rhodiumensis exhibits intermediate features

👉 Big brain

👉 Primitive structure

⚠️ Scientific discussion

There is controversy as to whether this is an independent species.

Or part of Homo heidelbergensis

💡 Main idea

👉 Human evolution is a sequence of transitional stages 🔥

📊 Scientific data

Scientific name: 🧬
Homo floresiensis Homo floresiensis

Period: ⏳
~100,000–50,000 years ago (Late Pleistocene)

Location: 📍
Indonesia 🌍 (Flores Island 🇮🇩)

Type: 🧾
Early man – a species in the genus Homo 🧬

🧾 Description

Homo floresiensis was very small 🐾
It is only about 1 meter tall ⚠️

Sometimes referred to as "The Hobbit" 🧩
Due to its tiny size

His brain was relatively small 🧠
But use advanced stone tools 🔪

Lives in an isolated environment 🏝️
What led to the phenomenon of "island dwarfism"

Despite its size, it showed high survival abilities
And hunting small animals 🌍

Considered a unique branch in human evolution
Non-Homo sapiens

🌍 Where is it located?

Tropical environment 🌴
Forests and isolated island areas 🌿

📚 Sources – Homo erectus

🔬 Scientific sources
Smithsonian Institution – Human Origins Program
https://humanorigins.si.edu
Natural History Museum
https://www.nhm.ac.uk
Encyclopaedia Britannica – Homo erectus
https://www.britannica.com

📖 Research and publications
Dubois, E. (1894)
Discovery of Java Man (Homo erectus)
Anton, S.C. (2003)
Natural history of Homo erectus

🌍 General information

Homo erectus lived about 1.9 million to about 110,000 years ago,
And was one of the first human species to leave Africa and spread to Asia and Europe.

⚠️ Scientific discussion

There is controversy over whether all fossils belong to a single species.
Or are there several different populations under the same name?

💡 Hypotheses

Homo erectus may have been the first to use fire regularly
and develop more complex tools.

📊 Scientific data

Scientific name: 🧬
Homo heidelbergensis

Period: ⏳
~700,000–200,000 years ago (Middle Pleistocene)

Location: 📍
Africa 🌍, Europe 🇪🇺 and Asia 🌏

Type: 🧾
Early man – an ancestor of Homo sapiens and

Neanderthals 🧬

🧾 Description

Homo heidelbergensis was an extremely strong ancient human 💪
With a large body structure adapted for hunting 🐾

His brain volume was large 🧠

And very close to modern man

His face was broad with prominent brow ridges ⚠️
But less primitive than earlier species

Use advanced stone tools 🔪

And even mastered the use of fire 🔥

Hunt large animals 🐘
and lives in social groups

The term Reconstruction 🧩

Refers to a modern reconstruction of his face and body
Based on fossils, anatomy, and scientific comparisons

🌍 Where is it located?

Diverse regions 🌍
Savannahs, forests and cold regions ❄️🌳

📚 Sources – Homo heidelbergensis

🔬 Scientific sources
Smithsonian Institution – Human Origins Program
https://humanorigins.si.edu
Natural History Museum
https://www.nhm.ac.uk
Encyclopaedia Britannica – Homo heidelbergensis
https://www.britannica.com

📖 Research and publications
Schoetensack, O. (1908)
The discovery of Homo heidelbergensis (Mauer jaw)
Stringer, C. (2012)
The status of Homo heidelbergensis in human evolution

🌍 General information
Homo heidelbergensis lived about 700,000–200,000 years ago,
and is considered a common ancestor of Neanderthal man and modern man.

⚠️ Scientific discussion
There is controversy as to whether this is a separate species.
Or in a transitional group that includes different populations of Homo.

💡 Hypotheses
Homo heidelbergensis may have developed advanced hunting abilities
and using more complex tools.

📊 Scientific data

Scientific name: 🧬
Homo neanderthalensis

Period: ⏳
~400,000–40,000 years ago (Pleistocene)

Location: 📍
Europe 🇪🇺, West Asia 🌏 and the Middle East 🌍

Type: 🧾
Ancient man – very close to Homo sapiens 🧬

🧾 Description

Neanderthals were strong and adapted to the cold ❄️
With a low and massive body 💪

Their brain volume was very large 🧠
Sometimes even bigger than modern humans

Their faces were wide ⚠️

With a large nose and prominent eyebrow ridges

Use advanced stone tools 🔪
And hunted large animals 🐃

Control the fire 🔥

And lived in caves and camps

They had a complex culture 🧩
Including burial, use of colors and jewelry

Lived alongside Homo sapiens 🌍
And even multiplied with them

Today, many humans have Neanderthal DNA 🧬

🌍 Where is it located?

Cold and cool areas ❄️
Forests, steppes and mountainous areas 🌲🏔️

📚 Sources – Homo neanderthalensis (Neanderthal)

🔬 Scientific sources
Smithsonian Institution – Human Origins Program
https://humanorigins.si.edu
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
https://www.eva.mpg.de
Encyclopaedia Britannica – Neanderthal
https://www.britannica.com

📖 Research and publications
Green, R.E. et al. (2010)
A draft sequence of the Neanderthal genome (Science)
Stringer, C. & Gamble, C. (1993)
In Search of the Neanderthals

🌍 General information

Neanderthals lived about 40,000–400,000 years ago in Europe and Asia,
And were very close to modern humans genetically.

⚠️ Scientific discussion

There is controversy about the level of their cognitive abilities,
And was their culture as complex as that of Homo sapiens?

💡 Hypotheses

Neanderthals may have interbred with modern humans,
And left a genetic imprint on many populations today.

📊 Scientific data

Scientific name: 🧬
Homo sapiens

Period: ⏳
~300,000 years ago to present (Late Pleistocene–Holocene)

Location: 📍
Origin in Africa 🌍 → Spread to the whole world 🌎

Type: 🧾
Modern man 🧬

🧾 Description

Homo sapiens is modern man 🧩
Has extremely high cognitive abilities 🧠

His face is relatively flat ⚠️
With a prominent chin and a high forehead

Its body structure is lighter and more flexible 🐾

Compared to ancient man

Developed a complex language 🗣️
and a rich culture

Created very advanced tools 🔪
Art 🎨, Music 🎵 and Technology 📱

Has been able to adapt to a huge variety of environments 🌍
From the Pole to the Desert

The only person who survived
Of all the ancient human species 🌍

🌍 Where is it located?

All over the world 🌎
In all types of environments — land, sea, and even space 🚀

📚 Sources – Homo sapiens

🔬 Scientific sources
Smithsonian Institution – Human Origins Program
https://humanorigins.si.edu
Nature – Human evolution research
https://www.nature.com
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
https://www.eva.mpg.de

📖 Research and publications
Hublin, J.-J. et al. (2017)
New fossils from Jebel Irhoud, Morocco and the origin of Homo sapiens (Nature)
Stringer, C. (2016)
The origin and evolution of Homo sapiens

🌍 General information

Homo sapiens is modern man,
Which appeared about 300,000 years ago in Africa and spread throughout the world.

⚠️ Scientific discussion

There is controversy about the exact location and time of the emergence of modern humans,
And is this a focused development or a broader process?

💡 Hypotheses

It is possible that language, culture, and complex thinking
They are the key factors in the success of modern man.