Early Homo
The genus Homo evolved from australopithecine-like ancestors and was associated with larger brains, sophisticated tool use, greater reliance on meat and expansion beyond Africa. Climate became increasingly variable and arid during this period, with grasslands and savannahs expanding. Human evolution did not follow a simple progression from small-brained apes to modern humans; several Homo species coexisted and followed different evolutionary paths.
Timeline
- ~2.4 million-1.4 million years ago: Homo habilis (eastern and southern Africa); larger brain and more delicate jaws than australopithecines; associated with Oldowan stone tools.
- ~2.4 million-1.5 million years ago: Increasing aridity and expansion of open habitats in east Africa encourage use of grasslands and different foraging strategies.
- ~2 million years ago: Homo increasingly incorporates meat and other energy-rich foods into its diet; changes in teeth and jaws show less reliance on heavy chewing.
- ~1.9 million years ago: Homo erectus in Africa; substantially larger brain and more human-like body proportions than earlier Homo.
- ~1.8 million years ago: H. erectus expands into Eurasia.
- ~1.8 million years ago: Some Eurasian Homo retain smaller brains and simpler tools, showing that evolution was not linear.
- ~1 million years ago: Evidence for controlled fire becomes increasingly widespread; when regular fire use and cooking began remains disputed.
- ~1.2 million-800,000 BCE: Homo antecessor in Spain; among the earliest known hominins in western Europe, although its relationship to later Homo species remains debated.
- ~800,000-400,000 BCE: Homo heidelbergensis in Africa and Eurasia; probably descended from earlier Homo related to H. erectus; likely close to the common ancestry of Neanderthals and modern humans.
- ~500,000-300,000 BCE: Some Homo heidelbergensis use wooden spears and appear capable of cooperative hunting.
- ~430,000 BCE: The Sima de los Huesos hominins (Spain) are closely related to the Neanderthal lineage; injuries in some individuals suggest care within the group, while the accumulation of bodies at the site may indicate deliberate deposition.
- ~335,000-236,000 BCE: Homo naledi in South Africa; relatively small brain and primitive-looking anatomy despite surviving relatively late.