Homo is a genus of primates, including Homo sapiens, characterized by an upright posture, large brain, high intelligence, and hairlessness. There are 14 known species, with Homo sapiens being the most successful. The genus evolved in Africa and spread throughout the continent, except for the Sahara desert, until Homo erectus crossed over into modern-day Israel […]
Homo floresiensis, also known as the “Hobbit,” is an extinct species of the genus Homo that lived from 93,000 to 12,000 years ago. They were only one meter tall and weighed 25 kg. Their remains were discovered on the island of Flores, Indonesia, and they were technologically sophisticated, with some researchers claiming they were capable […]
Homo ergaster is an early hominid species that lived during the Pleistocene era. Its classification as a separate species from Homo erectus is debated, but it is widely used. Homo ergaster had advanced tools, used fire, and likely lived together socially. The discovery of Turkana Boy in 1984 provided a more complete picture of what […]
The term “homo sacer” referred to individuals subject to unique rules and lacking protection from harm. The implementation of habeas corpus made the term obsolete, but recent legal wrangling has revived it in the context of the “war on terror.” The term “illegal combatant” restores some aspects of classical homo sacer, leading to controversy over […]
Homo erectus, an intermediate form of the genus Homo, lived from 1.8 million to 70,000 years ago and is considered an ancestor of modern humans. It displayed more human-like characteristics than its predecessor Homo habilis, had a larger brain, and used Acheulean tools. It attempted to control fire towards the end of its existence and […]
Homo habilis, an extinct species of the genus Homo, lived in Africa about 1.5 million years ago. It had a different appearance from modern humans, with a smaller brain capacity, but developed complex societies and used fine tools. Discovered in the Olduvai Gorge in Africa, there is debate about its classification in the genus Homo. […]
Homo sapiens evolved in Africa 200,000 years ago and is one of the most recent terrestrial species. It is the first monkey to develop advanced technologies and cities. The species colonized Eurasia, Oceania, and the Americas. Human universals include body adornments, moral feelings, and personal names. A population bottleneck occurred 70,000 years ago, resulting in […]
Homo heidelbergensis lived 400,000 years ago and is a direct ancestor of modern humans. They were one of the first hominids to venture out of Africa and into Europe, forming large social groups and exhibiting evidence of cultural rituals. Homo heidelbergensis evolved into modern humans and Neanderthals, with DNA studies indicating they were distinct but […]
