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Biology - How Did Humans Evolve?
How did humans evolve?
The first humans lived between 3½ and 4 million years ago. They were called Australopithecus afarensis and had apelike heads, walked upright, and were primarily plant-eaters. Around 2½ million years ago, the next in the line of human ancestors emerged: Homo habilis. Homo habilis stood nearly five feet tall, was a meat-eater, and crafted simple tools from pebbles.
Near the beginning of the Pleistocene epoch (the epoch which began about 2 million years ago and ended 10,000 years ago), Homo habilis evolved, or gradually changed, into Homo erectus (Java Man). Homo erectus used fire, built huts, and hunted in groups. Throughout the Pleistocene epoch, Homo erectus steadily evolved into Homo sapiens, the species that includes Neanderthals, Cro-Magnons, and modern humans.
Since about 40,000 years ago, the only remaining form of Homo sapiens...
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