HUMAN SPECIES IN THE EVOLUTIONARY TREE

Seven important human species are there in our evolutionary history viz., Homo habilis, Homo erectus, Homo neanderthalensis, Homo denisova, Homo floresiensis, Homo naledi, and Homo sapiens.

The Homo habilis or the “handy” men appeared 2 million years ago in Africa, and became extinct there some 1.5 million years ago.

The Homo erectus or the “upright” men evolved about 2 million years ago in Africa, expanded and spread quickly across Eurasia. They might have become extinct some 143,000 years before.

The Homo neanderthalensis or the Neanderthals evolved some 200,000 years before in Eurasia and became extinct some 40,000 years before.

The Homo denisova or the Denisovans probably lived between 200,000 and 50,000 years before throughout eastern Asia.

The Homo floresiensis or the “hobbits” lived approximately 100,000 and 50,000 years ago on the Indonesian island of Flores.

The Homo naledi or the “star” men are unofficially reported to have lived between 300,000 and 200,000 years before in South Africa.

The Homo sapiens, also known as the “modern humans” or the “wise men” appeared first approximately some 200,000 years ago. Some 100,000 years back they moved out of Africa and spread to the rest of the world.

Content: www.newscientist.com