Final answer:
Homo erectus fossils date back to around 1.9 million to 800,000 years ago, making option b (2.5-0.5 mya) the correct answer. They were the first hominins to leave Africa and showed advanced human-like traits.
Step-by-step explanation:
Homo Erectus Fossil Dates
The fossils of Homo erectus are significant in understanding human evolution. The timeframe for Homo erectus is from about 1.9 million years ago to roughly 800,000 years ago. During this period, Homo erectus is believed to have been the first of the hominins to leave Africa, and their fossils have been located in diverse regions, including East Africa, Europe, and Asia. It is evident that Homo erectus was a direct ancestor to Homo heidelbergensis, and its features, such as brain size and stature, show closer similarities to modern humans compared to earlier hominins. Additionally, Homo erectus is associated with notable advancements such as the use of fire, hunting, and establishing a home base.
Applying this information to the options provided, the correct time range for Homo erectus fossils is option b, which is from 2.5-0.5 mya. This aligns with the understanding that Homo erectus first appeared around 1.9 million years ago and survived until about 800,000 years ago in certain areas, making option b the most accurate. However, it is important to note that there may have been some overlap with other early hominin species and that the fossil record is continually updated as new discoveries are made.