Biological Anthropology/Unit 3: Human Evolution/ProtoHominins

While the hominins will be presented more or less in chronological order, students should not mistake chronological order for linear evolutionary relationships; some hominins that are presented are not in the direct line to modern humans. New discoveries are made each year that refine what we know about human evolution. What this means is that what you learn this quarter could change somewhat next year as new data is made available. While this can make studying human evolution frustrating at times, the new discoveries help us gain a better understanding of just how our early ancestors evolved.

It is highly recommended that students begin their exploration of human evolution by watching the documentary, Becoming Human.

Explore the Early Hominins

Use the links below to explore the proto-hominins and early hominins. If you have not been using the Guided Notes up to this point, it is strongly suggested that you do so for this unit in order to keep the hominin information organized.

Note: Make sure you click on the For More Information link at the bottom of each of the following pages:

Sahelanthropus tchadensis

Orrorin tugenensis

Ardipithecus kadabba

Ardipithecus ramidus

Australopithecus anamensis

Australopithecus afarensis

Kenyanthropus platyops

Australopithecus africanus

Australopithecus garhi

Paranthropus aethiopicus (some paleoanthropologists classify this hominin as an australopithecine)

Paranthropus robustus (some paleoanthropologists classify this hominin as an australipithecine)

Paranthropus boisei (some paleoanthropologists classify this hominin as an australopithecine)

Australopithecus sediba

Go to Previous Page

Go to Genus Homo