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FIND OUT MORE. Fossils 76 • Prehistoric Life 77

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HUMAN EVOLUTION

Early humans evolved in Africa about five

million years ago, from ape-like ancestors.

As these ancestors moved from dense forests

to open woodlands, they evolved new

features, such as the ability to walk upright.

1 FLINT HAND-AXE

Over 200,000 years old, this flint

hand-axe shows that early humans

had evolved the skills to make

and use tools. Its sharp edge may

have been used to skin animals.

WHY WAS LEARNING TO WALK UPRIGHT

IMPORTANT TO HUMAN EVOLUTION?

Walking on two legs enabled early humans to use

their hands to pick up, carry, and use objects.

Standing upright also allowed them to survey their

surroundings and look out for prey or enemies. These

new abilities led to the evolution of larger brains,

which allowed them to think, plan, and communicate.

HOMO

RUDOLFENSIS

2.5 MYA

HOMO ERECTUS

1.75 MYA

HOMO

NEANDERTHALENSIS

200,000 YA

HOMO SAPIENS

160,000 YA

1 GENUS HOMO

The evolution of modern humans is much debated and changes as our

knowledge increases. One idea is that modern humans evolved in Africa

from Homo rudolfensis, which gave rise to Homo erectus and later

Homo sapiens. Although Homo neanderthalensis (above) look similar,

they are not closely related to us.

GOMPHOTHERIUM
20 MILLION YEARS AGO

DEINOTHERIUM

2 MILLION YEARS AGO

2 ELEPHANT EVOLUTION

These are five of the 150 species that have existed in the evolution of

elephants and their relatives. Scientists have traced elephant evolution

by studying fossils. The earliest ancestors were smaller, with short

trunks. Over time, they became larger with long trunks and tusks.

Gomphotherium had upper-jaw

tusks that were used for

fighting. Elephants similar to

Gomphotherium were the

ancestors of mammoths and of

modern-day elephants

Deinotherium had no tusks in

the upper jaws, but two down-

turned tusks in the lower jaws. It

had a shorter trunk than

elephants living today

Asian elephant is one of two

elephant species alive today,

both with long trunks and

tusks. They can flap their

large ears to cool down

Sharp cutting

edge

ASIAN ELEPHANT

PRESENT DAY