The origins of humankind on Earth
It is estimated that the first members of the human family (hominins) lived in
Africa about
6 or 7 million years ago. They are believed to have been forest-dwelling, perhaps walking upright in the trees or when on the ground.
In 2001, cranial fossils of
Sahelanthropus tchadensis dating to this time were uncovered in Chad, central Africa. The fossils show a combination of
ape-like and human-like features, although how closely related
Sahelanthropus tchadensis is to humans is the subject of debate.
Over millions of years, distinct species and lineages emerged and radiated across Africa. Among them were the earliest members of the
genus Homo, to which modern humans belong.
Replicas of the remarkably complete
Australopithecus sediba fossil skeletons found in Malapa Cave, South Africa in 2010.
The
earliest fossil evidence of these ancient humans dates to between
1.9 and 2.4 million years ago, and comes from East Africa, although a human-like form of the species
Australopithecushas recently been described from South Africa.
Australopithecus sediba is 1.98 million years old and is the most human-like australopithecine yet discovered, with an increased front brain cavity and small teeth.