Hominid Evolution Hominids O Include all species in

Hominid Evolution

Hominids O Include all species in the human lineage, both modern and extinct. O Hominids walk upright, have long lower limbs, thumbs that oppose, and large brains. O Hominid evolution started 6 million years ago.

Two Groups: O Genus: Homo and Australopithecus

Australopithecus O Lived 4 million years ago. They had a smaller brain size than modern humans. O They developed bipedalism, which means they walked on two feet like us. This was an advantage. O Average height: 3 to 4 feet-one of the smallest hominids to ever live

Homo habilis O Lived 2. 4 -1. 4 million years ago and is the earliest hominid to make stone tools. They communicated using grunts and gestures.

Homo erectus O Lived 1. 8 million to 300, 000 years ago. O They used tools, fire, and were the first to live in groups. Fire allowed their food to be easier to chew, so over many years, the jaw size started to get smaller. O They could communicate better than Homo habilis, but not like us.

Homo neanderthalensis “Neanderthals” O Lived 200, 000 to 30, 000 years ago. Scientists found some evidence to suggest that they coexisted with humans. They were more intelligent than previous hominids. O Their brow ridge was larger, jaw size was larger than ours but their brain wasn’t as complex as ours.

Modern Humans: Homo sapiens O We diverged from African apes, not monkeys! O We arose about 100, 000 years ago in what’s now Ethiopia. O Modern humans have smaller jaws, teeth, and a larger brain that is more complex than any other hominid’s brain.

Fossil Record O The fossil record shows a trend toward increased brain size, decrease in tooth size, and a flatter facial angle going from extinct hominids to the modern humans, Homo sapiens.