Homonids

Australopithecus afarensis

Lucy - 3.2 mya skeleton, short, Ethiopia.

Existed 3-4 mya. 400-500 cubic cm cranium. Heavy brow. Maxillary protrusion. VEEEERY tiny sagittal crest at the back of male skulls. Bipedal. Parallel, fixed toes. Medium length canine. No known stone tools.

Australopithecus africanus

2-3 mya. Cranial capacity 450-550 cubic centimeters. Heavy brow. Moderate maxillary protrusion- less than before. Bipedal but also climbed trees. Human-like calcaneus, ape-like foot phalanges. Grasping toes, longer arms, slender build. No stone tools. South Africa

Paranthropus boisei

Tanzania. 2.6-1.2 mya. Cranial capacity 410-530 cubic centimeters. Bipedal, short legs, long arms. Stout body. Large mandible. Pronounced sagittal crest. Thickest molars of any hominid. No stone tools. Males 4’6 and females 4’1.

Homo habilis

1.5-2.3 mya. Cranial capacity 500-750 cc. Foramen magnum slightly more sapien-like. Bipedal. Short canines. Rounded skulls. Heavy brow, but less protrusion. Less maxillary protrusion. Beginnings of a sloping forehead. Stone tools. East Africa, Tanzania, Kenya. Earliest Homo.

Homo erectus

1.8 mya - 300,000 ya. South Africa. First to leave Africa. Used controlled fire, perhaps for cooking. Sophisticated tools. Clothes, huts. Cranial capacity 750-1250 ccs. Brow with a lot of protrusion. Small early “receding” forehead, but less sloped. Smaller, less protruding maxilla. No art or religion

Homo neanderthalensis

300,000 - 30,000 ya. Europe and Western Asia. Colder climates. Cranial capacity 1200-1750 cc. Large torso, short arms and legs. Stocky, thick femurs. Protruding jaw compared to sapiens. Shorter than sapiens. About 5’3 male, 4’11 female. Axes, spears. Hunted bison, deer, goats. Lived in caves, used fire. Clothing. Avg lifespan 35 years. Buried their dead. Musicians and artists. Last hominins to go extinct.

Homo sapiens

Knowing man. Originated in Africa and Isreal 200,000 ya. Modern version 100,000 - 40,000 ya. Cranial capacity 1300 - 1700 cc. Highly developed brains. Language and problem solving. Erect posture. Sewing, burying dead, art, clothing and shelter from mammoths. Instruments.

Pan troglodyte

Chimp. Closest living relative of humans. Diverged about 7 mya. Diverged from gorillas 8 mya.