Human evolution is the lengthy process through which Homo sapiens, our species, developed from earlier hominins over millions of years. It is a story of adaptation, survival, and change, driven by environmental pressures and genetic mutations.br br **1. **Origins of Primates:**br - **Timeline:** Around 65 million years ago (mya).br - **Description:** Evolution begins with the emergence of early primates, small arboreal mammals that eventually gave rise to prosimians, monkeys, and apes. These creatures developed enhanced vision, dexterous hands, and larger brains to adapt to life in the trees.br br **2. **Early Hominins:**br - **Timeline:** Around 7-6 mya.br - **Description:** The split between the lineage leading to modern humans and the one leading to modern chimpanzees marks the beginning of the hominin family. Early hominins, such as *Sahelanthropus tchadensis*, show evidence of bipedalism (walking on two legs), a critical adaptation that allowed them to explore new environments and freed their hands for tool use.br br **3. **Australopithecus:**br - **Timeline:** Around 4-2 mya.br - **Description:** Species like *Australopithecus afarensis* (famous for the "Lucy" skeleton) were fully bipedal but still retained many ape-like features, such as a small brain and large teeth. These hominins lived in Africa and showed evidence of both arboreal and terrestrial lifestyles.br br **4. **Genus Homo Emergence:**br - **Timeline:** Around 2.5-1.5 mya.br - **Description:** The genus *Homo* appeared with species such as *Homo habilis*, known as the "handy man" for its association with early stone tools. These hominins had larger brains and smaller teeth compared to *Australopithecus*. *Homo erectus* followed, a more advanced species that spread out of Africa into Asia and Europe, showcasing increased brain size, complex tool use, and control of fire.br br **5. **Neanderthals and Denisovans:**br - **Timeline:** Around 400,000 to 40,000 years ago.br - **Description:** *Homo neanderthalensis* and the Denisovans are two archaic human species that evolved in Europe and Asia, respectively. Neanderthals were robust, adapted to cold climates, and exhibited complex behaviors such as burying their dead and creating art. They coexisted with early modern humans and even interbred with them, leaving a genetic legacy in non-African populations.br br **6. **Anatomically Modern Humans (Homo sapiens):**br - **Timeline:** Around 300,000 years ago to present.br - **Description:** *Homo sapiens* emerged in Africa and eventually spread across the globe. With a high degree of cognitive flexibility, they developed sophisticated tools, art, language, and culture. Around 70,000 years ago, during the "Great Migration," *Homo sapiens* began dispersing out of Africa, leading to the colonization of the entire planet. They replaced or absorbed other hominin species, becoming the last surviving human species.br br **7. **Cultural Evolution and Civilization:**br - **Timeline:** Last 12,000 years.