On top ofHomo sapiens , at least eight other species of our genus have walked Earth : Homo habilis , Homo rudolfensis , Homo erectus , Homo antecessor , Homo heidelbergensis , Homo naledi , Homo floresiensis , andHomo neanderthalensis(Neanderthals ) . Plus , it ’s likely in the hereafter there will be more that are recognized or unrecognized .
That ’s not even mentioningDenisovans , which may be a distinct species or subspecies , plus the unknowable number of human species that may be out there , yet to be discovered by skill .
All of theseanimals(that includes us ) belong to the genusHomo , which come in from the Latin name for “ human ” . Members of theHomofamily are part of a group called hominins . This should not be confused with hominids – the latter refers to modern humans and the other endure heavy apes , such as chimpanzee , bonobos , gorillas , and orangutans .
A model depictingHomo habilison display at the Rama IX Museum, Historic, and Science Museum in Thailand.Image credit: AKKHARAT JARUSILAWONG/Shutterstock.com
Members of theHomogenus are all closely related to modern humanity ( comparatively speaking ) , belonging to the same genus as us – just as tiger , lions , jaguars , and leopards belong to to the genus ofPanthera .
All of them except forH. sapienshave since fallen into extinguishing , but there were point where we inhabited a worldly concern shared by several human species . Our species even cross with some of them – and it was far from a one - night stand .
Bear in mind that none of these species evolved forthwith from one another in a linear maturation . H. erectusdidn’t of a sudden turn intoH. sapiensone sidereal day like a Pokémon evolving . If only itwere so uncomplicated . The human family tree is mussy , deeply intertwined , and complex – not to mention full of gaps due to the fragmental dodo record .
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This isn’t Shrek, this is a reconstruction of aHomo erectusadult male.Image credit: Giorgio Rossi/Shutterstock.com
We do , however , live a lot about some of theHomospecies that have wandered the major planet over the past few million years .
Homo habilis
The early known member of the genusHomoisHomo habilis , which evolved over 2.4 million years ago . Fossils of this species have beendiscoveredin present - day Tanzania , Kenya , Ethiopia , and South Africa , signal they once survive across a significant portion of eastern and southern Africa .
H. habilisis a crucial reference in the floor of hominin evolution as their brain was larger than other apes , mark a significant milepost in the development of complex demeanour . Also sleep together as the “ odd-job man , ” they were skilledmakers of stone tools , which consisted ofknappedflakes that could be used as blades .
Most researchers believeH. habiliswas bipedal and walked upright , although it would have look relatively copycat - like by our standard . After this pioneering species arrived on the conniption , human evolution accelerated – for reasons thatremain unclear .
Homo rudolfensis
The first known stay on ofHomo rudolfensiswere distinguish in 1972 along Lake Turkana in East Rudolf , Kenya . The species exist between 2.4 to 1.8 million years ago , around the same time asH. habilisin similar persona of Africa .
Anatomically speaking , it was also relatively alike toH. habilis , although fossil evidence shows the species hada notably bigger skull . This similarity has led to public debate among paleoanthropologists about the categorization and evolutionary relationship of these early hominins .
Homo erectus
Homo erectusis arguably one of the most significant and successful hominins to ever hold out , depend on how you define those full term .
It is undoubtedly the longest - hold up hominin , with evidence show the species livedbetweenaround 1.89 million and 110,000 age ago – that ’s almost 2 million years , compared to modern humans that have only been around for 200,000 to 300,000 days .
H. erectusis the first love hominin to have migrate out of Africa . This feat gave the speciesa huge geographical distribution , with fossils demo the species cross Africa , Asia , and Europe . In another first , there ’s some decent evidence thatH. erectuswas also thefirst species to control fire .
Remains ofH. erectusshow it was a highly varied species , which is n’t surprising considering its huge geographic and temporal extent . However , most specimen show signs of a human - comparable body , like elongated leg and shorter munition in comparison to its body .
Homo antecessor
Homo antecessorlivedabout800,000 to 1.2 million years ago in Europe .
After first discovering their remains at the Gran Dolina cave in Spain in 1994 , they were formally described as the last unwashed ancestor of modern humans and Neanderthals . Later workshowed this was n’t exactly the case , although they ’re perhaps an offset of hominin that was form just before the rent between modern humanity and Neanderthals .
Homo heidelbergensis
fogey show thatHomo heidelbergensislivedapproximately700,000 to 200,000 days ago in Africa , Europe , and maybe Asia .
The species had a portmanteau of features see in both former hominins , likeHomo erectus , and later species , such asHomo sapiens . Just as these characteristic would evoke , they were a versatile and transitional hominin that wielded a relatively big brain , couldcraft advanced peter , and inhabited diverse environments .
Homo naledi
One of the more recent additives to the gang , remains ofHomo nalediwere first discovered in 2013 by research the Rising Star Cave system in the Cradle of Humankind , South Africa .
Early piece of work suggests thatH. naledilivedmillions of years ago , owing to their relatively small brain size . However , subsequent geological dating unveil they overlapped withHomo sapiens , some 250,000 years ago .
The species has become one of the most controversial theatrical role in this cast of extinct human being . As detail in apopular Netflix documentary , the Rising Star Cave system contains rock artwork and decorate graves , which some have said were created byH. naledi . The cave also suggests that species buried their drained , implying they had get along emotional intelligence information .
This claim is remarkable sinceN. naledihad brains not much handsome than that of a Pan troglodytes . It ’s so remarkable , in fact , many paleoanthropologistsdon’t buy it .
Homo floresiensis
Homo floresiensisis one of the most alone hominins . Nicknamed“the Hobbit ” , the species stand at just over 1 beat ( 3 fundament 6 inches ) marvelous and had a teeny brain .
Do n’t let their small height chump you into think they were archaic , however . They be on the Indonesian island of Flores just 100,000 to 50,000 years ago until modern human race come in the neighborhood . That means there ’s a chance we came across this species in the build .
Some anthropologist have speculated thatH. floresiensiscould still be livingon the modest Indonesian island base on the folk tales of the endemic Lio people . However , that ’s a pretty risky claim that not many other researchers like to harbour .
Homo neanderthalensis
well known as the Neanderthals , Homo neanderthalensisis a bit like the “ sis coinage ” ofH. sapiens . Genetically , we’re99.7percent indistinguishable and it isstarkly clearthat rearing cross occurred between the species time and time again .
In age gone by , Neanderthals were often portrayed as the heavy - browed , lumbering " caveman " cousin ofH. sapiens . However , mounting evidence testify that theywere aesthetic , adaptable , andhighly intelligent .
They die outaround40,000 age ago for reasons that a hotly debated by scientists . Some anthropologist think it could have been mood change or a disease eruption that drive them into extinction , while others pin the inculpation onHomo sapiensfor outcompeting them or introducingtropical diseaseson their migration from Africa . Some even argue that the death of Neanderthals could have beencaused by a genocideat the deal of modern humanity .
Homo sapiens
Last but not least , it’sH. sapiens , aka modernistic humans . Etymologically , their name intend “ impudent man ” or “ lettered human beings ” , which is pretty chesty view they created the name .
This mintage emerged around 300,000 to 200,000 days ago , but it was n’t until 100,000 age ago that their brain shapebecame “ modern”like today ’s individuals . H. sapiensfirst appear in Africa and hold out on to inhabitevery continent of Earth . This tendency for geographic expedition has even figure them land on the Moon a couple of time andhave plans to returnshortly .
They are the sole living member of theHomogenus - and for good . They are adaptable , originative , sound , social , highly competitory , and have the potential to befiercely fast-growing .
This unusual portmanteau word of characteristics have in mind haveH. sapienshave somewhat of a self-contradictory nature . While they have made amazing cultural achievement and great technological advancements , they are wreck by conflicts within their own species and face serious challenge regardingtheir shock on the environment .
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