The Evolution of 8 Human Species: How We Became Who We Are

Did you know that humans today evolved from mere apes? This made an entire set of evolutionary changes that are biological and physical. This tells us how we have built the ability to construct civilizations, advanced technologies, and literature.

Not many people know that sapiens aren’t the only class of humans that existed on Earth. Surviving for over a million years along with us existed different species of humans, some of which have been extinct or survived over a few thousand years. Let’s dive deeper into these unique species of humans: Sahelanthropus Tchadensis was one of the core species of humans developed.

1. Sahelanthropus Tchadensis (About 7 million years ago)

This ancient-like animal was known to live in the central African region, joined with the Chad 7 million years back. Features included a flat and round face, which was more human-like, leading specialists to believe it belonged to the ‘human’ family.

Essential characteristics of Sahelanthropus:

• Brain volume (350 cc), which defines a tiny brain in size
• Conducted bipedal walking or walked on two legs
• Face reshaped into a flattened grin instead of flat features.  

It is estimated that over the next 4 million years, the ‘Sahelanthropus’ walked on two limbs and got rid of some facial features related to apes. This means they were on the path of being termed species, too.

2. Australopithecus Afarensis (3.9 To 2.9 Million Years Ago)

Now coming to one of the most well-known species of early humans is Australopithecus Afarensis, which lived around 3.9 – 2.9 million years ago. The famous “Lucy” fossil, which was unearthed in Ethiopia in ’74, is considered one of the best specimens of this species.

Key Features:

• Anatomically bipedal
• Small-brained (400-500cc) “Lucy” showed a lot of potential.
• Arms are long, and fingers are curved (climbing-liking)

Australopithecus Afarensis spent time in trees and on the ground like an intermediate ape-man. While they could not make tools, their vertical posture was undoubtedly a precursor to modern-day humans.

3. Homo Habilis (2.4 To 1.4 Million Years Ago)

Here comes handyman, or ‘Homo Habilis’ as most know him. This species resided in southern and eastern parts of Africa and is known to be the first to adopt the name Homo – which refers to modern humans.

Key Features:

• 510-600cc of more space than older counterparts
• Simple stone tools.
• Bipedal characteristics like movable hands and human-like teeth

Homo Habilis devised a means of excising flesh from the carcasses of creatures and splitting their bones. Despite still retaining a short frame and elongated arms, their physiology was evolving into a human.

4. Homo Erectus (1.9 million to 110,000 years ago)

Considered one of the main milestones in the history of human evolution, *homo erectus* is believed to be one of the first species to stand upright. They were stronger, had taller statures, and had more advanced features than any other species that existed during that time.

Key Features:

• Brain size: 600 – 1100cc
• First, to use fire & better tools.
• First, erect humans to leave Africa.

*Homo erectus* was known to live in various parts of the world, such as Europe and Asia. Their means of survival included hunting animals, gathering plants, and cooking food. They were believed to live between 1.5 million years, making them one of the longest-surviving human species in history.

5. Homo Heidelbergensis (700,000 to 200,000 years ago)

Followed by *Homo Erectus*, *Homo Heidelbergensis* appeared in Europe and Africa around 700,000 years ago. Their brain was also much more significant, and their body type was more extensive compared to *Homo Erectus*.

Key Features:

• Brain size: 1100 – 1400cc
• Built enclosures
• Wooden spear hunting

Scientists believe this species played a massive part in the rise of *neanderthals* in Europe and *homo sapiens* in Africa. They were known to be knowledgeable hunters who worked in teams to make survival easier.

6. Homo Neanderthalensis (400,000 to 40,000 years ago)

Neanderthal’s Range has been identified in Europe and West Asia. Often depicted in caveman-like attire and being a brainless dolt, Neanderthal men were more intelligent than offered credit for and were rich in culture.

Key Features:

• Brain size as large or even more significant than ours (1200–1750cc)
• Stubbly build, suited to cold climates
• Fire, tools, clothes, and even language

Have you heard about the custom jewelry of Neanderthal men or the pictorial representations their women made on cave walls? Fast forward to the current era, and you will find that people outside Africa carry 1-2%of the Neanderthal DNA. This stone’s hairy hominoid invented an axis capable of transforming the world.

7. Homo floresiensis (100,000 to 50,000 years ago)

The world was stunned in 2003 when scientists stumbled across a miniature humanoid skeleton measuring roughly 3.5 feet on the Indonesian island of Flores. The now popularly known “Hobbit” was scientifically named Homo Floresiensis.

Key Features:

• Having short stature, they reach no more than 3.5 feet
• Smaller brain with a size of barely 400cc
• Capable of using stone tools, hunting, and animal capture

The emergence and later extinction of these species remain a mystery even today. According to the studies, Homo floresiensis was able to demonstrate surprising wisdom at its small size and brainpower, marking a drastic shift in the history of humans.

8. Homo sapiens (300,000 years ago to Present)  

Now, here we are as Modern humans or Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens first appeared approximately 300,000 years ago in Africa and began to migrate to different parts of the world gradually.  

Key Features:  

• Large brain (about 1350cc)  
• Possession of a complex language, tools, and culture  
• Ability to perform art, imagination, and deep thought  

During early times, Homo sapiens engraved their existence in history by crafting intricate jewelry, advanced musical instruments, painting vivid cave art, and practicing burial rituals. Using our ability to think and grow, we turned the world into a place abundant with civilizations, advanced technological writing systems, and modernized infrastructure.  

🌍 Human Evolution at a Glance

✨ Conclusion  

In simple terms, the whole saga of human evolution is not a straight line; instead, think of it as a branching tree with several diverse species struggling to adapt to various surroundings and ecosystems and seamlessly co-existing in one environment. Some species became extinct over time, but one branch of the tree – ‘Homo sapiens’ – managed to prosper.  

We all have tiny fragments of history embedded in us even to this day, be it through DNA, bones, or the urge to explore and learn about our history.

Knowing where we came from helps us understand who we are and gives us tools to shape the future.