Aboriginal period

Aboriginal period

1. Australopithecus

   • Appearance time
     • Group of extinct primates closely related to, if not actually ancestors of, modern human beings. The various species of Australopithecus lived 4.4 million to 1.4 million years ago (mya), during the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs 
     • Physical characteristics
       • Had apelike face proportions a flat nose, a strongly projecting lower jaw and braincase with a small brain, usually less than 500 cubic centimeters and long, strong arms with curved fingers
       • Developments on his period
         • A knife a million years sooner than thought. The two fossilized bones found in Dikika with cut marks caused by stone tools.
         • Distinctive feature
           • Bipedal upright primate. Cranial capacity between 380 and 450 cm³.

2. Homo sapiens

   • Appearance time
     • The species to which all modern human beings belong.  Homo sapiens is one of several species grouped into the genus Homo, but it is the only one that is not extinct. It emerged 120,000-100,000 years ago.
     • Physical characteristics
       • Homo sapiens include a more rounded and expanded braincase and a high forehead. It has been evoluting 
       • Developments on his period
         • They produced long, thin stone leaves that were blunt on one side so that they could be attached to sculpted grooves in wood or stone.
         • Distinctive feature
           • increased brain capacity, and decreased jaw size, reduced muscle mass and disappearance of orbital prominences of the eyes.

3. Neanderthal

   • Appearance time
     • Group of archaic humans who emerged at least 200,000 years ago during the Pleistocene Epoch (about 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago) and were replaced or assimilated by early modern human populations (Homo sapiens).
     • Physical characteristics
       • It had a long, low skull with a characteristic prominent brow ridge above their eyes. Their face was also distinctive. The central part of the face protruded forward and was dominated by a very big, wide nose.
       • Developments on his period
         • They painted animal figures and geometric motifs such as dots, discs and stripes. They also used to leave handprints, perhaps as a signature.
         • Distinctive feature
           • Cranial and postcranial skeletal features. His body was very robust, suggesting great strength and physical endurance.

4. Homo habilis

   • Appearance time
     • Homo habilis inhabited parts of sub-Saharan Africa from roughly 2.4 to 1.5 million years ago (mya).
     • Physical characteristics
       • Homo, has a slightly larger braincase and smaller face and teeth than in Australopithecus or older hominin species. But it still retains some ape-like features, including long arms and a moderately- prognathic face.
       • Developments on his period
         • They created weapons that were made of bone, wood and mainly stone.
         • Distinctive feature
           • A more rounded skull, spadiform incisors, large molars and thick enamel

5. Homo erectus

   • Appearance time
     • H. erectus most likely originated in Africa, though Eurasia cannot be ruled out. The species seems to have dispersed quickly, starting about 1.9 million years ago (mya) near the middle of the Pleistocene Epoch.
     • Physical characteristics
       • It has elongated legs and shorter arms in comparison to its torso. It had an upright posture.
       • Developments on his period
         • The early tools were made from flint, and their edges were not sharp like a steak knife.
         • Distinctive feature
           • shape of the cranial vault, relatively low and angular, with a marked supraorbital bull, a markedly elusive forehead.