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Australopithicus Afarensis "Southern Ape"
Lucy walked the earth about three to four million years ago in Africa, near the Afar Triangle, which is how her specie of humans received the 'afarensis' in their name. Lucy was about three feet tall, with features of both humans and apes, with fairly long arms, a large head, and a protruding eyebrow ridge and jaw. Lucy's species probably used their bare hands to work and hunt, because no tools have been found that date as far back as four million years ago. They could carry items while walking. -
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Illustrated Timeline of Early Humans
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Homo Habilis "Handy Man"
"Handy Man" lived around one and a half to two million years ago, in Africa. Like Lucy, Homo Habilis is a human and ape mix. They were about four feet tall, with brains twice as big as Lucy's. Also similar to Lucy, Homo Habilis walked on both feet. "Handy Man" used their large brains to make tools used rocks to chop, animal bones to dig, and sharp stone to cut, almost like stripped-down versions of today's hand ax, shovel, and knife. With these tools Homo Habilis had a longer lifespan than Lucy. -
Homo Erectus "Upright Man"
"Upright Man" roamed from around 1.8 million to 200,000 B.C.E. in Java Island, Asia, and parts of Europe. Upright Man was taller and leaner than the other early hominids, about five feet or taller, with strong bones and a smoother forehead. They still had a portruding ridge brow and jaw, as well as thick skulls. Stone handaxes were common tools, as well as fire. They were the first hominid to migrate out of Africa. They were great athletes. Their diet was mainly meat, and they made shelters. -
Homo Sapiens Neanderthalensis "Wise Man"
"Wise Man" lived between 230,000 to 30,000 years ago, in Germany's Neander Valley. Wise Man had thick bones and a brow ridge, and were short and stocky, but actually stronger than modern humans. Their brains were large. They had over sixty different types of weapons and tools, including but not limited to knives, scrapers, and spearpoints. Neanderthals were the first hominids to hunt in a group, and were also the first to bury their dead. They lived with modern humans for about 10,000 years. -
Homo Sapiens Sapiens "Doubly Wise Man"
Doubly Wise Man lived from around 35,000 to 12,000 B.C. in Africa, although they had migrated around the world. They had high and rounded skulls, large brains, small teeth, and slim bones. Their tools could be used for engraving and sculpting, and sewing. They had also made hooks, spears, "atl atls" and the bow and arrow. These hominids were better hunters, as they could hunt from a distance. They also painted in caves to express themselves. They used pictures and complex language to teach.
