| Paleocene Epoch "ancient recent life" | Eocene Epoch "dawn of recent life" | Oligocene Epoch "slightly recent" |
       |
         |
         |
| 55.5 MYA | 33.9 MYA | 23 MYA |
| Miocene Epoch "less recent" | Pliocene Epoch "more recent" | Pleistocene Epoch "most recent" | Holocene Epoch "completely recent" |
           |
               |
                  |
       |
7.2 MYA During this epoch the land mass rose forming the Rocky Mountains and the Andes in South America. Great grass lands and savannas developed on the continents. This provided good food source for the developing animals to graze on. The oldest primate called Sahelanthropus tchadensis roamed the African Continent 7 MYA in a place we now call Chad. It is the oldest fossil found exhibiting hominid characteristics. |
5.33 MYA The discovery of "Lucy" a fossil dated 3.5 MYA by David Leaky in the Rift Valley is the oldest evidence of fossils found which can be classified as truly hominid. It is classified as Australopithecus africanus-"southern ape". The appearance od Homo habilis- "handy man" was approximately 2.6 MYA. These were considered the first true human beings because of their use of tools. They lived in Africa and were taller than previous hominids and had a larger brain. |
1.8 MYA Homo erectus -"uprite man" 1.3 MYA was the first hominid to use controlled fire. They were the first known hunters. Africa became dryer and hotter and they migrated to more hospitable climates in the Asian and European Continent. Homo erectus "upright " man had a much larger brain possibly because they were able to supply themselves with a much higher quantity of protein in their daily diet from hunting animals for their meat.. Homo heidelbergensis used stone tipped spears for the first time to hunt 500,000 years ago. Homo neanderthalis came on the scene about 35,000 years ago. They were good hunters, used tools extensively |
10,000 KYA to present. During this time the most important innovation in life style was the development of farming and domestication of animals for food. This guarantied a reliable supply of food sustenance for a much larger group of people. Thus groups developed into cooperative communities where they were able to share the work as well as the food supply. The first towns developed into ancient civilizations. The oldest community which actually qualifies as a civilization is Çatalhöyük found in what is known as Turkey today. |
