Genus: Homo

Family tree

Homo habilis

Homo ergastger

Homo erectus Homo heidelbergensis

homo neanderthalensis Modern homo sapiens

Homo habilis

• brain: 610-750 cc. (compare with average of 1350 for modern humans)

• 2.3-1.7 mya• used simple Oldowan stone tool-kit – because of limited brain and/or manual dexterity development

Homo ergaster

approx. 1.8-1.0 mya

homo ergaster• brain: some skulls measure 870 cc – some

possibly more than 900 cc• More advanced Acheulean technology• Moved north to cold climates, possibly

wore clothing.

Homo erectus

• approx. 1.15 mya- 27,000 ya (maybe)

• Brain: avg. about 1000 cc

• Still Acheulean tool kit.

but…

Homo erectus

They were wide-spread – all across the old world, possibly even able to build boats to travel sort distances to coastal islands.

Homo Hiedelbergensis (Archaic homo sapiens)

• Evolved out of homo erectus about 650,000 ya, lasted until they spawned and were replaced by neanderthals first, then modern humans about 100,000 ya

• Brain size: close to modern size, 1100cc – 1200cc avg.

Archaic homo sapiens

• Range: all over the old world (no evidence in new).

• Much like modern humans, different facial features.

Neanderthals

• From approx, 130,000 ya-possibly 28,000 ya. (Very recent)

• Short, stocky build, flattened head, longer in the back. Their eyes were up higher than ours are.

Neanderthals

• Brain: Some say slightly smaller than ours, others put the average at about 1400 cc, or slightly larger than modern humans’.

• Mousterian tools. Didn’t adapt as easily to more sophisticated tools – possible cause for extinction when in competition with modern humans.

Modern homo sapiens

• Emerged between 100,000-50,000 years ago• Full sized 1200-1800 cc brains. Avg. 1350

• Mousterian tools → Cro-Magnon tools (upper paleolithic) → planes trains and automobiles.