1. Basic Chronology of Human Evolution CGU 4MI

2. 6 million years ago (mya)
Earliest date for evolution of first hominids (2 legged primate) in Africa

3. 3.5 mya
First fossil evidence of Australopithecus (first known hominid group) in east Africa

4. 3 mya
probable appearance of Homo habilis (first group in evolution towards modern humans) in east Africa; evidence of first tools

5. 1.8 mya
First evidence of Homo erectus (larger brain than Homo habilis) in east Africa

6. 1.5 mya
Evidence of Homo erectus in Europe and of chipped stone instruments in Africa; Pleistocene period begins (marked by global temperature fluctuations)

7. 700,000 years ago (ya)
First evidence of chipped stone instruments in Europe

8. 400,000 ya
Homo erectus uses fire and develops strategy for hunting large game; first appearance of archaic Homo sapiens (termed ‘archaic’ because brains were only 85% size of modern humans; this included the group Neanderthal )

9. 100,000 ya
Appearance of Homo sapiens sapiens (anatomically modern humans) in Africa only (‘replacement hypothesis’ suggests that this evolution occurred in Africa and then spread throughout the world, replacing existing archaic groups)
From this point on human evolution becomes cultural, not biological

10. 80,000 ya
Beginnings of the most recent glacial period

11. 40,000 ya
Arrival of humans in Australia

12. 25,000 to 15,000 ya
Arrival of humans in America

13. 12,000 ya
First permanent settlements; earth’s population estimated at 4 million
Plymouth, Mass in 1600s – first European settlement in
North America

14. 10,000 years ago
End of most recent glacial period; beginning of Holocene period

15. Let’s finish with some perspective…
Imagine placing a football where today’s note began; nudge the ball ever so slightly forward and we’d be celebrating a touchdown. Humans have been around for a mind numbingly short time!