1. The ancestor that pioneered what it means to be "human" is believed to be Homo habilis. Homo habilis, meaning "handy man," is considered to be the earliest member of the Homo genus and is believed to have lived around 2.4 to 1.4 million years ago. This species is important because it was the first to make and use stone tools, showing a significant leap in technological advancement.
2. Homo erectus first appeared on the African plains around 1.9 million years ago. Homo erectus, meaning "upright man," is an extinct species of human that lived during the Pleistocene epoch. They were the first early humans to have body proportions similar to modern humans, with long legs and shorter arms. This adaptation allowed them to walk and run efficiently over long distances.
3. The first group who had bodies like ours, lived in social groups, and cared for each other is believed to be Homo neanderthalensis, commonly known as Neanderthals. Neanderthals lived in Europe and parts of Asia from about 400,000 to 40,000 years ago. They had similar body proportions to modern humans and lived in close-knit social groups, where they cared for their sick and elderly.
4. Homo erectus had a varied diet depending on their location and available resources. Fossil evidence suggests that Homo erectus was a highly adaptable species and consumed a wide range of foods. They were likely omnivorous, meaning they ate both plants and meat. Their diet included fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, insects, and possibly even small animals.
5. Yes, Homo erectus used tools. They are known for their use of stone tools, which they created by striking one rock against another to produce sharp-edged flakes. These tools were used for various purposes, including hunting, scavenging, butchering meat, and processing plants. The use of tools by Homo erectus marked an important milestone in human evolution, as it allowed for increased efficiency and the exploitation of new resources.
In summary, Homo habilis is considered the ancestor that pioneered what it means to be "human." Homo erectus first appeared on the African plains around 1.9 million years ago and used tools. The first group to have bodies like ours, lived in social groups, and cared for each other are believed to be Neanderthals. Homo erectus had a varied diet and used stone tools for various purposes.