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Australopethecus (Latin) and Austrlopethecus Afarnesis (Common)- 3 million years ago
This species was on earth 3 million years ago and they lived in Northern Africa. Another name for the species was Lucy because Donald Johanson was listening to "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" when he founded this species. They stood three feet tall which is much shorter than modern humans. Some additional physical features they had were that they had short arms, a large head, their jaw stuck out. There is no evidence that they wore clothing. They used trees to shelter themselves. -
Homo Habilis (Latin) or the Leakeys (Common)- 1.5 million years ago
They were on earth 1.5 million years ago. They lived in Eastern Africa and were half the size of modern humans. They were both ape and human like and their brains were twice the size of Australopethecus'. They made complex tools like chopping tools out of sharp stone and animal bones. They were also good makers of weapons. They were biped, used fire, which was good for traveling and cooking meat. They lived in small huts made of tree branches. They used animal skin to make clothing. -
Homo Erectus (Latin) or Handyman man (Common) 1.3 million years ago
They were found in Asia, India and China 1.3 million years ago. They stood five to six feet tall and their features included round, smooth foreheads, large ridge above their eyes, thick skull, and their jaw stuck out. A tool that they made often were hand axes that were made of stone. Another capability that they had was that they were biped and used fire which all made it easier to travel. They lived in oval huts made from tree branches. They covered themselves with yellow paint called Ocher. -
Homo Sapiens Sapiens (Latin) or Doubly Wise Man (Common)- 35,000 to 12,000 B.C.E
They originated in Africa and spread to Europe, Asia, and Australia.They were similar to humans today, high rounded skulls, large brains, small teeth, and slender bones.They were excellent toolmakers: spear throwers, bow and arrows, antler blades, and sharp stone that were used to hunt down prey.They built permanent homes to shelter from winter and lived in tepee tents during summer months and followed herds. They wore soft leather from animals in cold climates and grass and leaves in summer. -
Homo Sapians (Latin), Neanderthals (Common) or wise man- 230,000 years ago
They lived in Europe, Asia and Germany. They stood five to six feet tall. They had large brains, thick bones, and ridges above their eyes. This species made spears and used them and each other to surround their prey. They often stayed in groups and worked together. They were biped and used fire to cook meat. They wore thick leaves, deer skin, and fur from animals. They lived in caves during the winter and dug holes and covered with leaves and brances in the summer for protection.
