History of Early Hominids

Ancestor of A. afarensis more closely related to chimps, very few fossils found, indicate diet of soft foods.

Lived in northern rift valley, east Africa. About the size of a chimp, walked upright, lived in wooded environment.

Discovered in eastern Africa. Had larger brain than A. afarensis, more human-like bone structure. Similar fossils found in many African locations.

Found in Tanzania, Less that 4 feet tall, Had massive grinding teeth.

Found in central Africa, large difference in size between males and females.

Direct ancestor of modern humans, fossils found on three continents.

First hominid thought to use tools. Males more that 5 feet, females much smaller. Descendant of australopithecines, predecessor of Homo erectus

Ice-age human like cousins of our own species. Most found in Europe.

The oldest human fossil found is about 130,000 years old, some found with crafted tools. Cave paintings evidence of intelligence and hunting methods.

Exeptionally complete Australopithecus afarensis discovered in Ethiopia in 1974, a major step towards classifying early hominids.