Human Ancestors

Time of Origin

General Features

Dryopithecus

25 mya

Ape-like, hairy, arms and legs of same length, large brain, ate soft fruits and leaves, walked like gorillas and chimpanzees.

Ramapithecus

15 mya

More man-like, walked more erect, teeth like modern man.

Australopithecines

2 mya

Fossils found in Tanzania and Ethiopia, man-like primates, 4 feet tall, walked upright, ate fruit, hunted with stone weapons, brain capacity was 400-600 cc.

Homo habits

2 mya

Fossils found in East Africa, first human-like being, brain capacity 650-800 cc, did not eat meat.

Homo erectus (Java man)

1.5 mya

Fossils found in Java, brain capacity 900 cc, ate meat.

Homo sapiens  (Neanderthal man)

100,000-40,000 year ago

Fossils found in east and central Asia brian size 1400 cc, used hides to protect body, buried their dead.

Homo sapiens (Modern man)

75,000-10,000 years ago

Developed cave art, agriculture, started human civilization.