ERECT APES - The stage before HOMO HABILIS. These apes (like Lucy) could walk erect (bipedality). Bipedality was the first “split off” on the chain of evolution. They did not have any bigger brain size than for example a chimpanzee. The two criteria’s that differs men-apes from apes are BIPEDALITY and larger BRAIN SIZE. Substantially larger brains show up about 2 million years ago…

HOMO HABILIS - (Man having ability). These creatures were the size of a´ pygmy. They occurred 2 million years ago to about 1.6 million years ago. Their bran size was about 50% bigger than Lucy’s. Homo Habilis could make tools. The tools were mostly used for gathering food (roots and wild plants). Food gathering demanded some degree of group cooperation. The only “hunting” they did was animals
they could catch with their bare hands, insects and some fish.

HOMO ERECTUS - (Man (that) walked upright). Nearly as tall as modern men. They lived 1.6 million years ago to about 300.000 years ago. Their brain size was about 40% bigger than Homo Habilis and the shape of it was more like ours. It was most likely Homo Erectus that emigrated out of Africa . They showed great adaptability to adjust to different climates all over the world. Most likely they hunted in collectives and used languages. About 400.000 years ago they learned how to control fire. They also
started to develop crude tools and weapons.

HOMO SAPIENS - (Man with wisdom). Two different groups – Homo Sapiens Neanderthalis and Cro-Magnon.
NEANDERTHAL: Named after findings by the Neander River in Germany . The visible difference between modern men (Cro-Magnon) is very small - were a bit more barrel-chested and had a different cranium. They lived about 300.000 years ago to 40.000 years ago and they were skilled toolmakers and crafty hunters. The Neanderthal also used fire, lived in caves and made clothes of skins. Remains of food and weapons in graves are proofs of religious beliefs.
MODERN MEN (Cro-Magnon): A few years ago the researchers were convinced that modern men appeared after the Neanderthals, now there is proofs that they lived side-by-side with the Neanderthalis starting about 100.000 years ago. They invented better tools and weapons. They also produced art – carved figures, statues in clay and painted walls of caves.