Modern humans (Homo sapiens) are the only surviving species of the genus Homo, but this was not always the case. Over the past 2 million years, several other species of humans have coexisted with us, but they have all since become extinct. At least five species are relatively well documented:
Homo neanderthalensis (Neanderthal) – lived in Europe and western Asia. They were strong, adapted to cold climates, and used complex tools. They interbred with Homo sapiens, and most of today's non-African humans have Neanderthal DNA.
Homo erectus – the longest-lived human species. Originated in Africa and spread to Asia. They were the first to use fire and the first to leave Africa.
Homo floresiensis – nicknamed the "hobbit", they were small and lived on the island of Flores in Indonesia. May have lived until about 50,000 years ago.
Homo luzonensis – A small-bodied species found in the Philippines. May have been a close relative of Homo floresiensis. Fossil evidence suggests that it lived until 67,000 years ago.
Denisovans (Homo sp. altai) – A sibling species of Neanderthals, identified from fossils and genetic material from Siberia. Interbred with Homo sapiens.
These species coexisted on Earth for the past 300,000 years. Evidence from archaeology, the fossil record, and genetics suggests that they interacted with each other, interbreeding, and competing. However, by about 10,000 years ago, all other species had become extinct, leaving Homo sapiens as the sole surviving member of the human race.
Causes of extinction: climate change, limited adaptation, competition for resources, and perhaps direct conflict...
No comments:
Post a Comment