Types of Early Human Species

The human species as it is known it today dates back around 200,000 years and first developed in Africa. "Homo sapiens" is the accepted term used for our species, but other species of humans came before us and mark the links between ourselves and our earliest ape ancestors. Evolution has changed our species from these early humans, making us smarter, larger individuals.

  1. Homo Floresiensis

    • Homo floresiensis, because of its small size, is nicknamed by science as the Hobbit. It is a human species that lived between 95,000 and 17,000 years ago on the Asian island of Flores. It was much smaller than modern humans, growing to 3 to 4 feet tall and weighing an estimated 66 pounds. The species was discovered in 2003, and science is still trying to find its place in the evolution of our own species.

    Homo Neanderthalensis

    • Homo neanderthalensis, better known as neanderthals, were a close relative of modern humans, with whom they share a common ancestor. The species lived between 200,000 and 28,000 years ago and originated from Europe and central Asia. Neanderthals were smaller than modern humans, growing on average to a little over 5 feet tall and weighing between 119 and 143 lbs. The first neanderthal skull was found in 1829, but the species was not recognized as new until 1856, with the discovery of a similar skull.

    Homo Erectus

    • Homo erectus lived between approximately 1.89 million and 70,000 years ago and originated from Africa and Asia. It is the earliest known species to display common human traits such as long legs and shorter arms in comparison to the torso. These traits are likely the adaptations required for the ability to walk around on the ground as opposed to living in the trees.The first homo erectus bones were found in Indonesia in 1891.

    Homo Heidelbergensis

    • Homo heidelbergensis lived between 700,000 and 200,000 years ago in Europe and parts of Asia. One of the first human species to leave the African continent for colder, more northern climates, it was one of the first to regularly hunt large game and actively build shelters. It was a primitive-looking species with heavy features and broad, small bodies to conserve heat. It was first discovered in 1908 near Heidelberg, Germany, hence its scientific name.

    Homo Habilis

    • Homo habilis is nicknamed "handy man" by science, because it was thought to be the first to start using stone tools. The species lived between 2.4 and 1.4 million years ago in Africa. It is one of the oldest species in the homo genus. It exhibits a number of human physical traits, along with a more apelike facial makeup and the long arms that are more common in primitive apes.