Evolution traces the stages of our species from “humanlike” beings to modern human beings.

The first humanlike species were known as hominids.

Hominids are distinguished from apes by two major traits:

Bipedalism (walking on two feet)

Larger brains

AKA: Handyman

The first hominids to develop and use stone tools

Flourished about 2.5 million years ago

Appeared over 2 million years ago

Could walk completely upright

Survived by hunting wild animals and gathering plants for food

Increased skill allowed them to make tools from stone, wood and stone.

First species to use fire

Means “man who thinks”

Formulated language and more sophisticated tools

There are two types of Homo Sapiens: Neanderthals Homo Sapiens Sapiens

First appeared about 230 000 years ago

Formidable hunters and gatherers. Hunted small rhinos, elk, bison and mammoths.

Gathered plants, shellfish, and small reptiles for food.

“Modern Humans” emerged in Europe from Africa approximately 40 thousand years ago.

A.K.A. Cro-Magnon people

Skills included making cloth, better shelters.