The history of early humans spans several million years, during which they evolved from apes to intelligent beings capable of manipulating tools and controlling fire. Here are the seven stages of early human development:
Sahelanthropus tchadensis (7 million years ago) The earliest known hominid, Sahelanthropus tchadensis, lived in Chad about 7 million years ago. The remains of this species were discovered in 2001, and it is believed to have been bipedal, although it had a small brain and ape-like facial features.
Orrorin tugenensis (6 million years ago) Orrorin tugenensis, discovered in Kenya in 2000, is thought to have lived about 6 million years ago. This early human species had a more human-like femur bone, indicating that it walked upright on two legs.
Ardipithecus ramidus (4.4 million years ago) Ardipithecus ramidus, discovered in Ethiopia in the 1990s, lived about 4.4 million years ago. This species was also bipedal, but had long arms and curved fingers for climbing trees.
Australopithecus afarensis (3.9-2.9 million years ago) Perhaps the most famous early human species, Australopithecus afarensis, lived about 3.9 to 2.9 million years ago in eastern Africa. This species is known for its most famous representative, Lucy, and is believed to have walked upright, but still had ape-like features, such as a small brain and long arms.
Paranthropus boisei (2.3-1.2 million years ago) Paranthropus boisei, discovered in Tanzania in the 1950s, lived about 2.3 to 1.2 million years ago. This species had a distinctive skull shape with a wide, flat face and powerful jaws for chewing tough vegetation.
Homo habilis (2.8-1.5 million years ago) Homo habilis, discovered in Tanzania in the 1960s, lived about 2.8 to 1.5 million years ago. This species had a larger brain than earlier hominids and was capable of making and using stone tools.
Homo erectus (1.89 million-143,000 years ago) Homo erectus, a species that evolved about 1.89 million years ago and lasted until about 143,000 years ago, was the first hominid to leave Africa and spread throughout Asia and Europe. This species had a larger brain and a more human-like body shape, including shorter arms and longer legs adapted for long-distance walking and running.
These seven stages of early human development represent significant milestones in the evolution of our species, and each played an important role in the development of the human species that we know today.