Human evolution in 7 steps: from Sahelanthropus to sapiens
Our story spans 7 million years from upright apes to Lucy, tool makers, fire users and modern humans.
Upright apes, Lucy and first tools
Around 7 million years ago Sahelanthropus in Chad walked upright with a 350-cubic-centimeter brain, then Australopithecus Lucy 3.2 million years ago in Ethiopia stood 110 centimeters tall and climbed plus walked.
By 2.4 million years ago Homo habilis in Tanzania flaked stone tools 5 centimeters long, ate meat worth 500 extra calories daily and grew brains to 650 cubic centimeters.
Fire, big brains and global spread
Homo erectus 1.8 million years ago controlled fire by 800000 years ago, migrated 8000 kilometers to Java and China, stood 170 centimeters tall with 900-cubic-centimeter brains and cooperative hunting.
Homo sapiens appeared 300000 years ago in Morocco, left Africa 60000 years ago in groups of 1000, interbred 2 percent with Neanderthals and now numbers 8 billion with 1400-cubic-centimeter brains.
- Sahelanthropus 7 million years ago first upright.
- Lucy 3.2 million years old 110 cm tall.
- Habilis 2.4 million years ago made stone tools.
- Erectus used fire 800000 years ago.
- Sapiens 300000 years old left Africa 60000 years ago.