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Human Environment > Homo Erectus |
This site tells the story of the history of the universe. Click Earlier and Later to follow the story. Note: Many facts have been simplified to make them easier to understand. |
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Small intelligent apes which could walk on their back legs appeared in Southern Africa about the time the recent ice age started 3 million years ago. This freed their front feet which could then evolve into hands. At the same time their brains evolved so they became intelligent and were able to make and use tools. Although called Homo habilis, meaning "handy man", these creatures were more like apes than men.
About two million years ago Homo habilis evolved into the first people called Homo Erectus. Their bodies were like ours but their faces were still ape-like. They ate raw plants and meat, so they needed strong jaws to chew their food. They made stone hand-axes, wooden spears and containers. They built huts and helped each other to hunt big game and gather food. Homo Erectus evolved in Africa and spread as far as China. |
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Human Environment > Homo Erectus |
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