List of hominin species

Australopithecus africanus

Lived from about 3.3-2.1 million years ago in South Africa and so survived longer than most of the East African australopithecines. Similar anatomy to other australopithecines but perhaps with a more human-like face a slightly larger brain but perhaps some more apelike features below the neck. However, it still clearly walk bipedally.

Australopithecus sediba

Lived just under 2 million years ago in South Africa, shortly after the last known appearance of A. africanus, compared to which its anatomy was more human-like, such as the hand bones and it probably had a more modern form of bipedalism.

Paranthropus aethiopicus

The earliest from of the so-called 'robust australopithecines', which lived 2.7-2.3 million years ago in East Africa. It was anatomically similar to other australopithcines expect that the rear teeth were huge. A large crest on the top of the skull - the sagittal crest - was for the attachment of strong jaw muscles.

Paranthropus boisei

Lived from about 2.4-1.4 million years ago in East Africa and probably descended from P. aethiopicus, compared to which the face was very flat and teeth even more massive. The males seem to have been much larger than the females.

Homo habilis

Lived about 2.3-1.6 million years ago in East and South Africa. Compared to the australopithecines they had roughly 50% larger brains (640 cc), smaller teeth and more slender jaws, and a less protruding face. However, below the neck they appear to have been very similar with relatively long, strong arms and shortish legs by modern standards and would still have been comfortable climbing trees. They probably made more significant use of stone tools. 

Homo rudolfensis

Found in East Africa and dated to 2.4-1.8 million years ago. Poorly known compared to H. habilis but seems to have had a flatter face with larger teeth and probably a larger body. The flat face resembles the earlier Kenyanthropus platyops, from which it could therefore be descended.

Homo erectus

Appeared about 1.8 million years ago in Africa and eventually found throughout Africa, much of Asia, and parts of Europe. Survived until at least 300,000 years (and perhaps much later). Noted for having a much more modern body than earlier hominins with long legs and short arms. Brain size was much increased too (roughly 800-1100 cc) and is associated with the more sophisticated tools of the Acheulean industry, typified by hand axes.

Homo antecessor

Known from Spain and dated to around 800,000 years ago. Distinct from H. erectus in having a larger brain size (about 1100 cc) and fairly modern looking nose and cheekbones. They were about 1.6-1.8 m tall. Stone tool cut marks found on the bones suggest that the bodies were dismembered by other members of the species, in other words possible evidence for cannibalism.

Homo heidelbergensis

Probably originated from H. erectus around 800 000 years ago, most likely in Africa. It lived across Africa and Europe, ultimately giving rise to the Neanderthals in Europe and modern humans in Africa. They initially made Acheulean tools though later developed more advanced tools using the so-called ‘prepared-core technique’. They were probably active hunters and are known to have made wooden spears. There is evidence too that they made living structures and that they controlled fire.

Homo neanderthalensis

Lived in Europe and western Asia from about 200,000 to 27,000 years ago. They were relatively short (males about 165 cm) but also squat, and powerfully built. They had large brow ridges and a low receding forehead, but the skull was long and wide and housed a brain that was slightly larger than that of modern humans. They were expert tool makers and hunters and there is some evidence that they sometimes have produced artistic objects and cave art. DNA analyses shows that Neanderthals sometimes interbred with modern humans.

Homo sapiens

Appeared about 200,000 years ago, probably in Africa. Compared to earlier hominins they had a bulbous skull that is high and domed with a vertical forehead and very rounded at the back, a larger brain (1400cc), a small face topped by small brow ridges, and small jaws and teeth with pronounced chin. Compared to other hominins they made more sophisticated and a greater variety of stone tools and produced more artistic objects and cave art. 

Homo floresiensis

Found on the island of Flores in Indonesia, southeast Asia,  and lived as recently as 50,000 years ago. They were just over 1 metre tall with a 380 cc brain size (chimp-sized). Certain anatomical features resemble Homo erectus while other are more similar to australopithecines, who lived over 2 million years ago in Africa. It is unclear if they evolved from some type of Homo or if they represent a migration out of Africa but of a much more ancient species.