Human Evolution: From Early Hominids to Modern Homo Sapiens

The Journey of Human Evolution

Unraveling Our Past: Prehistory and History

The story of human existence on our planet is filled with many chapters yet to be fully understood. In the quest for answers, a methodological division has been established, using the invention of writing as a pivotal milestone to separate prehistory from history. This distinction has, throughout the ages, brought forth a central question: the origin and evolution of humanity.

The term human evolution refers to the development of a lineage of ancestors, including various hominids and early Homo species, leading to modern humans. We, *Homo sapiens sapiens*, belong to the branch of modern humans, making our appearance on Earth approximately 40,000 years ago, though dating varies among scientists.

The Peopling of the Americas

Regarding the Americas, their settlement was carried out by the same species, *Homo sapiens sapiens*. The dating of this significant migration process places it around 28,000 years ago. This incredible journey involved several key stages of human development, marked by distinct hominid species:

Australopithecus

• Height: 1.20 to 1.30 meters
• Cranial Capacity: 450 to 500 cm³
• Tools Used: No evidence of tool use for skull modification.
• Characteristics: Their hip and leg bones indicate an upright posture, though it is believed these hominids spent part of their lives in trees.
• Location: Southeast Africa, in present-day territories of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania.
• Time Period: Approximately 3.5 to 3.8 million years ago.

Homo Habilis

• Height: 1.30 to 1.40 meters
• Cranial Capacity: 650 cm³
• Tools Used: Utilized rough stone pebbles, breaking and sharpening them to create basic tools.
• Characteristics: Looked quite similar to modern humans compared to Australopithecus. *Homo habilis* is often considered among the first human beings due to their ability to craft and use stone tools.
• Location: Southeast Africa, including Koobi Fora and Olduvai Gorge in present-day Kenya and Tanzania.
• Time Period: Approximately 2 million years ago.

Homo Erectus

• Height: 1.40 to 1.50 meters
• Cranial Capacity: 1000 cm³
• Tools Used: Employed axes and bifacial flakes.
• Characteristics: The first true hunter-gatherer. *Homo erectus* discovered and controlled fire, articulated words, lived in caves, traveled long distances, and established camps.
• Location: Africa, Asia, and Europe.
• Time Period: Approximately 1.9 million to 110,000 years ago.

Homo Neanderthalensis (Neanderthals)

• Height: 1.50 to 1.60 meters
• Cranial Capacity: 1500 cm³
• Tools Used: Utilized scrapers and borers.
• Characteristics: Possessed a strong skeleton, long trunk, and short legs, well-adapted to their cold climate lifestyle. They developed linguistic abilities, advanced their gathering techniques, and showed an increase in funerary practices, suggesting complex social structures.
• Location: Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa.
• Time Period: Approximately 400,000 to 40,000 years ago.

Homo Sapiens Sapiens: Modern Humans

• Height: 1.60 to 1.70 meters
• Cranial Capacity: 1400 cm³
• Tools Used: Employed chisels, scrapers, bone spear throwers, and other advanced instruments.
• Characteristics: Developed new hunting techniques and created sophisticated tools. While continuing gathering practices, they began the Neolithic revolution, leading to the practice of agriculture and animal husbandry. They also developed rock art.
• Location: Originated in Africa, then spread across Europe and Asia, and eventually worldwide.
• Time Period: Appeared approximately 40,000 years ago and continue to the present.