Human evolution

 Brief history 

of 

human evolution

7–6 million years ago – The earliest human ancestors (hominins) split from the lineage of chimpanzees in Africa. Fossils like Sahelanthropus tchadensis show upright walking beginning.

4–3 million years ago – Australopithecus species (e.g., Lucy) lived in Africa. They walked upright but still climbed trees.

2.4 million years ago – Homo habilis (“handy man”) appeared. First known toolmakers.

1.8 million years ago – Homo erectus evolved. They spread out of Africa to Asia and Europe, controlled fire, and hunted in groups.

700,000–200,000 years ago – Homo heidelbergensis, a common ancestor of Neanderthals and modern humans, developed advanced tools and hunting strategies.

400,000–40,000 years ago – Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) thrived in Europe and western Asia. They were strong, intelligent, and used culture, tools, and even buried their dead.

200,000 years ago – Homo sapiens (modern humans) appeared in Africa. Larger brains, complex language, and symbolic thinking developed.

60,000–40,000 years ago – Modern humans migrated out of Africa, spreading across Asia, Europe, and Australia. They interacted (and interbred) with Neanderthals and Denisovans.

30,000 years ago – Neanderthals disappeared, likely due to competition with humans and climate changes.

10,000 years ago – Humans began farming (Neolithic Revolution), shifting from hunter-gatherers to settled societies.

Present – Humans dominate the planet, shaping ecosystems and technology unlike any other species.