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Human Evolution Timeline
By Matt Baker  Updated 15 Dec 2011
This chart shows the step-by-step progression of human evolution, all the way from single cells to modern Homo sapiens.
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Approx. no.
of years agoGeological
time periodWhat evolvedImportanceWhat branched off at this stage3,500,000,000Archeon Prokaryote cellsThese single-celled organisms are the simplest form of life. How they evolved is unknown, although they probably developed from simpler organic systemsbacteria, archaea2,000,000,000Proterozoic Eukaryote cellsThese cells are more complex in that they have a nucleus and other specialized structures such as mitochondria.amoebas, algae, fungi, plants900,000,000 ChoanoflagellatesThese cells were the first to adhere together to form colonies.
600,000,000 Sea spongesThe first multi-celled animals were like the sea sponges of today. At this stage partially differentiated tissues started to evolve.
580,000,000 CnidariaCnidaria, like modern-day jellyfish, were the first animals with the ability to move freely due to the evolution of nerves and muscles. Simple eyes also evolved at this stage.
550,000,000 Flat wormsFlat worms were the first animals to have bilateral symmetry and a brain.worms, molluscs, insectsCAMBRIAN EXPLOSION - 'sudden' diversification of lifePaleozoic Era (Age of Fish)530,000,000Cambrian PikaiaThese eel-like creatures were the first to have a more complex central nervous system. This stage occurred around the same time as the Cambrian explosion -- a period during which the animal kingdom underwent major diversification. (note: most of the images from Pikaia to Proconsul were created by Nobu Tamura from palaeocritti.com
505,000,000 Jawless fishThese creatures were the first to have a back bone although they still lacked the fins of proper fish.
480,000,000Ordovician
Silurian
Devonian PlacodermsThese prehistoric fishes were the first to have jawed mouths, fins and a plate protecting their heads.fish, sharks365,000,000Carboniferous TetrapodsFish with four fins and upward facing eyes eventually evolved in more shallow, swampy habitats. The front limbs eventually evolved to bend backwards and the back limbs to bend frontwards.
315,000,000 AmphibiansFrom the early tetrapods evolved the first amphibians, capable of dwelling both in the water and on the land. At this stage, lungs started to develop.amphibians (such as frogs)300,000,000Permian ReptilesReptiles were the first tetrapods to lay eggs on land and live primarily on land.reptiles, dinosaurs, and birdsPERMIAN-TRIASSIC EXTINCTION - 96% of marine species become extinctMesozoic Era (Age of Dinosaurs)250,000,000Triassic
Jurassic
Cretaceous SynapsidaReptiles had eventually split into sauropsids (true reptiles) and synapsids (proto-mammals). Synapsids evolved a pair of holes in their skulls behind the eyes.
220,000,000 MammalsMammals eventually evolved to have warm blood, hair and the ability to manage their temperature by sweating. Instead of laying eggs, they give birth to live babies and feed them with milk.non-primate mammalsK-T EXTINCTION - asteroid impact causes the extinction of the dinosaursCenozoic Era (Age of Mammals)65,000,000Paleogene PrimatesThe first primates evolved around the same time that the dinosaurs died out. They eventually developed opposable thumbs, very useful for living in trees.
47,000,000 DarwiniusThe newly publicized Darwinius was a transitional form between the prosimians (lemurs & tarsiers) and simians (monkeys & apes). By this point, primates had evolved forward-facing eyes. lemurs, tarsiers30,000,000 AegyptopithicusAround this time, new world (South American) monkeys and old world (African) monkeys started evolving in different directions. Aegyptopithicus is one the earliest known old world monkeysnew world monkeys27,000,000 ProconsulSome old world monkeys eventually evolved ape-like qualities such as stronger shoulders, larger brains, better vision, and the lack of a tail. Proconsul is one of the earliest known ape-like primates.old world monkeys, gibbons13,000,000Neogene PierolapithecusThe recently publicized Pierolapithecus might be the common ancestor of all great apes. The great apes are all larger, stronger, more intelligent, and more social than other primates.orangutans, gorillas7,000,000 Sahelanthropus TtchadensisSahelanthropus, nicknamed "Toumai", may represent the last ancestor common ancestor between chimpanzees and humans. At this point, the layrnx evolved, which would eventually allow for more complex speech.chimpanzees, bonobos4,400,000 Australopithicus AfarensisIt is believed that the jungle started to get cooler and dryer around this time and that this forced some apes to spend more time on the ground, eventually leading to bipedalism. One of the first species to walk on two feet was Australopithecus Afarensis (nicknamed "Lucy").Australopithicenes, Paranthropus2,500,000Quaternary Homo HabilisThe earliest human species, homo habilis had larger brains than its predecessors, ate more meat, and started using the first stone toolsHomo Erectus, Homo Floresiensis?1,700,000 Homo ErgasterHomo Ergaster had shorter arms (like modern humans), less body hair and the ability to use fire. They lived entirely on the ground and developed greater cooperation between males and females. Humans also left Africa for the first time during this period.
500,000 Homo HeidelbergensisHomo Heidelbergensis had a larger brain and used more advanced tools. He is also the ancestor of the Neanderthals -- the last major human species to co-exist with homo sapiens.Neanderthals100,000 Homo SapiensThe first biologically modern Homo Sapiens evolved around 100,000 years ago in Africa. However, it was until about 50,000 years ago that they developed modern behaviours such as jewelry-making, wall painting, musical instruments, funeral customs, religion, long-distance trade, fishing, advanced language and abstract thought. |
