Final answer:
H. Erectus first appeared around 1.8 million years ago in East Africa and their fossils have been found in many parts of the world including India, China, Java, and Europe. They had many human-like features, could use fire, and their existence extended until about 50,000 years ago.
Step-by-step explanation:
H. Erectus, also known as Homo erectus, first appeared approximately 1.8 million years ago. It is widely accepted that they originated in East Africa and were notably the first hominin species to migrate out of Africa. The fossils of H. Erectus have been discovered in a variety of locations, including India, China, Java, and Europe, and historically these fossils were referred to as "Java Man" or "Peking Man."
As a species, H. Erectus exhibited a number of human-like features, being larger in size and stature compared to earlier hominins. They reached heights up to 1.85 meters and weighed up to 65 kilograms, presenting sizes comparable to modern humans. Their brain size ranged between 775 to 1,100 cubic centimeters, which is smaller than the brain size of contemporary humans but larger than that of their predecessors such as H. habilis.
The fossils associated with H. Erectus have also provided evidence that this species used fire, likely for cooking and warmth, and the discovery of stone tools suggests they were skilled hunters. The use of fire by H. Erectus is estimated to have occurred around 1.7-2.0 million years ago, with evidence supported by ancient hearths and charred animal bones found at sites such as Zhoukoudian, China. H. Erectus is generally believed to have existed until about 50,000 years ago, although some findings indicate they might have survived in eastern Asia even longer.