Basic Chronology of Human Evolution CGU 4 MI

6 million years ago (mya) • Earliest date for evolution of first hominids (2 legged primate) in Africa

3. 5 mya • First fossil evidence of Australopithecus (first known hominid group) in east Africa

3 mya • probable appearance of Homo habilis (first group in evolution towards modern humans) in east Africa; evidence of first tools

1. 8 mya • First evidence of Homo erectus (larger brain than Homo habilis) in east Africa

1. 5 mya • Evidence of Homo erectus in Europe and of chipped stone instruments in Africa; Pleistocene period begins (marked by global temperature fluctuations)

700, 000 years ago (ya) • First evidence of chipped stone instruments in Europe

400, 000 ya • Homo erectus uses fire and develops strategy for hunting large game; first appearance of archaic Homo sapiens (termed ‘archaic’ because brains were only 85% size of modern humans; this included the group Neanderthal )

100, 000 ya • Appearance of Homo sapiens (anatomically modern humans) in Africa only (‘replacement hypothesis’ suggests that this evolution occurred in Africa and then spread throughout the world, replacing existing archaic groups) • From this point on human evolution becomes cultural, not biological

80, 000 ya • Beginnings of the most recent glacial period

40, 000 ya • Arrival of humans in Australia

25, 000 to 15, 000 ya • Arrival of humans in America

12, 000 ya • First permanent settlements; earth’s population estimated at 4 million Plymouth, Mass in 1600 s – first European settlement in North America

10, 000 years ago • End of most recent glacial period; beginning of Holocene period

Let’s finish with some perspective… • Imagine placing a football where today’s note began; nudge the ball ever so slightly forward and we’d be celebrating a touchdown. Humans have been around for a mind numbingly short time!