hominidae

The Human Evolution Timeline
Primates includes all lemurs, monkeys, and apes, along with their extinct relatives. Traits: forward-facing eyes, large brains relative to body size, and opposable thumbs.

Chimpanzee-Bonobo Split

Around 1.5 million years ago, the ancestors of today’s bonobos and chimpanzees became isolated from one another, likely due to the formation of the Congo River. This geographical barrier separated populations of the genus Pan, which ultimately evolved into two distinct species: bonobos (Pan paniscus) south of the Congo River, and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) to […]

Chimpanzee-Bonobo Split Read More »

Divje Babe Flute

Location: Divje Babe Cave, Slovenia Attribution: Possibly Neanderthal Material: Bear femur Discovered in the 1990s, this flute-like artifact features holes resembling those used for producing music. If confirmed as a flute, it would suggest that Neanderthals possessed musical traditions. However, some scholars argue these holes might be from animal activity. The Divje Babe flute continues

Divje Babe Flute Read More »

Neanderthal Rope!

Fiber Technology Pushes Back Cognitive Milestones: Fiber technology is the ability to process and manipulate plant fibers into things like string, ropes, clothing, and nets. It represents a milestone in cognitive abilities and cultural progress, requiring not just dexterity but also a deep understanding of material properties. The brains needed for this technology had to

Neanderthal Rope! Read More »

Laughter Emerges

Laughter is closely related to emotional intelligence: The roots of laughter can be traced back to our common ancestors with other great apes, living around 10 to 15 million years ago. These early primates likely exhibited rudimentary forms of laughter as a social signal during play, much like modern-day chimpanzees, bonobos, and gorillas. This “animal

Laughter Emerges Read More »

Cheerful children's laughter

Human Laughter Emerges

As hominins began to diverge from their great ape relatives around 2 to 4 million years ago, the simple vocalizations of their ancestors evolved into more sophisticated forms of communication. Among these was “human-like laughter,” characterized by its rhythmic structure, emotional depth, and social significance. Unlike the breathy panting of earlier primates, human laughter developed

Human Laughter Emerges Read More »

Czeck: Dolní Věstonice Community

The Dolní Věstonice people thrived in a harsh Ice Age landscape. They built sturdy huts from mammoth bones, crafted intricate art, and developed symbolic expression. They honored their dead with elaborate burials and likely held spiritual beliefs. With early ceramics and resourceful hunting practices, they demonstrated remarkable adaptability and creativity, leaving behind a lasting legacy

Czeck: Dolní Věstonice Community Read More »

Ukraine: Mezhyrich Community

The Mezhyrich community thrived in Ukraine, living in huts built from mammoth bones. These resourceful people used mammoth skulls, tusks, and bones to construct shelters covered with animal skins. They engaged in daily activities such as cooking, tool-making, and socializing, showcasing a harmonious, bustling life. The nearby rivers provided resources and sustenance, while their sophisticated

Ukraine: Mezhyrich Community Read More »

Animal Vocabulary: Thousands of Words (The Great Apes)

Since before the orangutan branched about 12 million years ago, all the great ape species had a vocabulary—signals, gestures, grunts, and screams—in various contexts, potentially ranging into the thousands. These early apes communicated with not only a wide variety of sounds and gestures but also different levels or gradations of these signals. For instance, one

Animal Vocabulary: Thousands of Words (The Great Apes) Read More »

Genus Gigantopithecus

The great ape Gigantopithecus was a genus of large primates that lived in Asia, primarily during the Pleistocene epoch. Gigantopithecus is closely related to modern orangutans (genus Pongo) within the great ape family. These large primates were not direct ancestors of humans but were part of the broader family Hominidae, which includes all the great

Genus Gigantopithecus Read More »

Human Thumb Evolves

Slightly greater range of movement and precision: Around 2 to 3 million years ago, the evolution of the human thumb reached a pivotal point. Early hominins, such as Australopithecus and later Homo habilis, exhibited a thumb that was more similar to that of modern humans. This thumb was capable of a greater range of movement

Human Thumb Evolves Read More »

Ape Thumb Evolves

Likely between 25 and 30 million years ago, the evolution of the apes brought about further refinement of the opposable thumb. This period saw the divergence of the lineages that would lead to modern “lesser” apes like gibbons as well as later “great” apes, including orangutans, gorillas, and chimpanzees. The ape thumb evolved to become

Ape Thumb Evolves Read More »

Early Wood tools

Simple wood tools starting with picking up a stick to poke at some out of reach fruit likely paralleled the use of stone tools. Wood tools for the most part did not survive the test of time. The earliest so far include advanced javelins form 400,000 years ago and a digging tool from 780,000 years ago.

Early Wood tools Read More »

Terra Amata Site, France

Discovered in the 1990s, this 400,000-year-old Homo heidelbergensis structure in France is believed to be a primitive hut or shelter made from wooden posts and branches. The structure is thought to have been built by Homo heidelbergensis. The shelter is estimated to be around 4-5 meters (13-16 feet) wide and 6-7 meters (20-23 feet) long.

Terra Amata Site, France Read More »

Homo rhodesiensis: A Hybrid Lesson

Homo rhodesiensis, often regarded as Africa’s counterpart to Europe’s Homo heidelbergensis, represents a pivotal species. Discovered in Kabwe, Zambia, the species exhibits a mix of robust and modern traits with a large brain size and advanced tool use, reflecting significant cognitive capabilities. Interbreeding Analysis: The evolutionary journey of Homo rhodesiensis might highlight well the complex

Homo rhodesiensis: A Hybrid Lesson Read More »

Homo longi: Rewriting Human Migration Narratives

In the lush landscapes of northeastern China, the discovery of the Homo longi skull has opened new chapters in our understanding of human evolution. This skull, dating back to approximately 146,000 years ago, represents a pivotal moment in prehistory. Homo longi, also nicknamed “Dragon Man,” showcases a unique blend of archaic and modern traits—marked by

Homo longi: Rewriting Human Migration Narratives Read More »

Scroll to Top