We’ve uncovered so much about dinosaurs & their bones, their lives, even how they vanished. But the story of Earth doesn’t end there. Have you ever wondered how that ancient past connects to us? Where do humans enter this timeline?
The first humans: a long time ago!
The first ancient humans, called Hominins, lived around 6 to 7 million years ago. That sounds like a long time, but it is actually just a small part of Earth’s history, especially compared to dinosaurs, who ruled the planet for about 252 million years!
One important discovery was made in Africa, where scientists found the skull of an early human. It was discovered by Mary Leakey, the wife of famous scientist Dr. Lous Leakey, and it was about 1.75 million years old!
Ancient Human Cultures
Over the past 7 million years, there have been several types of ancient humans. Here are some of the most important:
Australopithecus afarensis
Lived: About 3.9 to 3 million years ago
Brain Size: ~450 cc
Fun Fact: One of the most famous fossils ever found, nicknamed “Lucy”, belonged to this species. They walked upright but still climbed trees.
Paranthropus boisei
Lived: About 2.3 to 1.2 million years ago
Brain Size: ~500-550 cc
Fun fact: Nicknamed “Nutcracker Man” because of their massive jaws and teeth, built for chewing very tough plants.
HomO habilis
Lived: About 2.4 to 1.4 million years ago
Brain Size: ~600-700cc
Fun fact: Often called “handy man” because they are believed to be the first human ancestors to make simple stone tools.
HomO Erectus
Lived: About 600,000 years ago
Brain Size: 1,250cc
Fun fact: They might have been the first to build shelters
HomO heidelbergensis
Lived: About 700,000 to 200,000 years ago
Brain Size: 1,200- 1,300cc
Fun fact: Likely the common ancestor of both Neanderthals and modern humans.
HomO naledi
Lived: 335,000 to 236,000 years ago
Brain Size: ~465-610cc
Fun fact: Despite their small brains, they may have deliberately buried their dead.
Denisovans - Homo Longi
Lived: About 300,000 to 50,000 years ago
Brain Size: Unknown (only a few bones and teeth have been found)
Fun fact: Like Neanderthals, Denisovans interbred with early modern humans. People in parts of Asia and Oceania still carry Denisovan DNA today. The two existing Denisovan mandibles show that like Neanderthals, the Denisovans lacked a chin.
Neanderthals
Lived: 430,000 to 40,000 years ago
Brain Size: 1,700 cc ( the biggest of all ancient humans!)
Fun fact: Neanderthals didn’t completely disappear/ When Neanderthals and early humans met tens of thousands of years ago, they had children together. Because of that, most people alive today still carry a small amount of Neanderthal DNA in their genes. There have been millions of artifacts found so we know it is possible that there were once millions of Neanderthals! How many millions were there?
Homo floresiensis
Lived: About 100,000 to 50,000 years ago
Brain size: ~400cc (very small)
Fun Fact: Nicknamed “the Hobbit” because they were only about 3.5 feet tall. Despite their size, they made tools and hunted.
Modern Humans ( Homo sapiens)
Still here today!
Average Brain Size 1,350 cc
Fun Fact: Even though our brains aren’t the largest, we have developed the most advanced languages, tools, and art.
This is a rendition of the skull of “lucy” the most intact specimen found to date
We have yet to find a mostly intact skull of Homo Naledi. Only fragments have been discovered.
Only a handful of bones have been discovered from the Denisovans. The first remains of a Denisovan were only just discovered in 2010!
Does a larger brain mean smarter?
Not always! Even though Neanderthals had larger brains than us, that doesn’t mean they were smarter.
Intelligence depends on how the brain is structured and used, not just its size.
Fun fact: Ancient humans weren’t all the same. Different groups created their own tools, art, and ways of living. Archeologists call these unique traditions “cultures,” and just like today, there were many of them!
Cases of various Atlalt points and arrowheads
