"Human" Fossils

Early ape showing a mix of monkey and ape features, found in Kenya.

Great ape with adaptations for upright climbing, possibly near the base of the great ape family tree.

Possible ancestor of orangutans, showing early great ape features.

One of the earliest potential hominins, showing possible adaptations for bipedalism.

Early hominin showing evidence of bipedal walking while retaining tree-climbing abilities.

Early hominin with both tree-climbing and bipedal capabilities, showing mosaic evolution.

Earliest known species of Australopithecus, showing clear evidence of bipedalism.

Well-known species including "Lucy," showing advanced bipedalism but retained climbing abilities.

Possible early member of the Homo lineage, showing a unique combination of features.

More gracile species with slightly larger brain size, showing human-like features.

Robust australopithecine with specialized adaptations for heavy chewing.

Early Homo species with increased brain size and evidence of tool use.

First human species to leave Africa, with advanced tool use and control of fire.

Possible ancestor of both Neanderthals and modern humans, with large brain size.

Close human relative with sophisticated culture and technology, interbred with modern humans.

Modern humans with advanced cognitive abilities and complex culture.

Small-bodied human species nicknamed "Hobbit", lived on Indonesian islands.

Recently discovered human species from the Philippines with unique anatomical features.

Sister group to Neanderthals that interbred with modern humans, particularly in Asia.

Late australopithecine possibly associated with early stone tools.

Early robust australopithecine with extreme adaptations for heavy chewing.

Early Homo species with a larger brain case than H. habilis.

African variant of Homo erectus, possibly the first human ancestor to use fire.

Early European human species showing a mix of primitive and modern features.

African species possibly ancestral to both modern humans and Neanderthals.