Timeline: Human Evolution

55 million years ago (MYA)

First primitive primates evolve, lives in the shadow of the dinosaurs

8 - 6 MYA

First gorillas evolve. Later, chimp and human lineages diverge

5.8 MYA


5.5 MYA

Ardipithecus, early "proto-human" shares traits with chimps and gorillas, and is forest-dwelling


Australopithecinces appear. They have brains no larger than a chimpanzee's - with a volume around 400 - 500 cm3 -, but walk upright on two legs. First human ancestors to live on the savannah

3.2 MYA


2.7 MYA


2.5 MYA


Hominids start to use stone tools regularly, created by splitting pebbles - this starts Oldowan tradition of toolmaking, which last a million years

Some hominids develop meat-rich diets as scavengers, the extra energy may have favoured the evolution of larger brains



1.8 - 1.5 MYA


1.6 MYA

Possible first sporadic use of fire suggested by discoloured sediments in Koobi Fora, Kenya. More convincing evidence of charred wood and stone tools is found in Israel and dated to 780,000 years ago


600,000 YA


500,000 YA

Earliest evidence of purpose-built shelters - wooden huts - are known from sites near Chichibu, Japan

400,000 YA

Early humans begin to hunt with spears

325,000 YA


280,000 YA

First complex stone blades and grinding stones

230,000 YA


195,000 YA

Our own species Homo sapiens appears on the scene - and shortly after begins to migrate across Asia and Europe. Oldest modern human remains are two skulls found in Ethiopia that date to this period. Average human brain volume is 1350 cm3

170,000 YA


150,000 YA

Humans possibly capable of speech. 100,000-year-old shell jewellery suggests that that people develop complex speech and symbolism

140,000 YA

First evidence of long-distance trade

110,000 YA

Earliest beads - made from ostrich eggshells - and jewellery

50,000 YA


Colonisation of Australia by modern humans

33,000 YA


Homo erectus dies out in Asia - replaced by modern man

18,000 YA

Homo Floresiensis, "Hobbit" people, found on the Indonesian island of Flores. They stand just over 1 metre tall, and have brains similar in size to chimpanzees, yet have advanced stone tools

12,000 YA

Modern people reach the Americas

10,000 YA

Agriculture develops and spread. First villages. Possible domestication of dogs

5,500 YA


5,000 YA

Earliest known writing

4,000 to 3,500 BC

The Sumerians of Mesopotamia develop the world's first civilisation


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