Final answer:
Homo ergaster, evident from around 1.7 MYA, may have started eating more meat, as suggested by fossil analysis. However, Homo erectus, prevalent from about 1.9 million to 143,000 years ago, is known for skilled hunting and significant evidence of meat consumption, including the use of fire for cooking.
Step-by-step explanation:
Big game hunting and increased meat consumption appear to begin with Homo ergaster, dating back to about 1.7 million years ago (MYA). Analysis of the KNM ER 1808 specimen, the most complete H. ergaster ever found, indicates this hominin may have consumed carnivore liver, hinting at a diet shift towards more meat. However, it is Homo erectus, living from about 1.9 million to as recent as 143,000 years ago, that showcases clear evidence of skilled hunting and meat consumption. With traits like increased brain size, use of fire, longer legs for endurance running, and sophisticated tool use, H. erectus marks a significant step in human evolutionary history. The evidence includes animal bones with cut marks, ancient hearths, and charred bone remains. These findings point to H. erectus not only hunting animals but also cooking their meat, which would have provided the necessary caloric intake to support a larger brain and a more active lifestyle.