The descendants of modern humans, who lived in Africa about 200,000 years ago, initially spread to Europe and Asia. At a later stage, the species also spread to Australia and the Americas. In the wake of various unfavourable periods, only a small percentage of modern humans survived to produce offspring. The cooling of the climate into the ice age and volcanic eruptions significantly taxed human populations in some places.

About 100,000 years ago, several human species inhabited the Earth together with the modern human. These include the Floresin human (fossil findings from Indonesia), the Denisovan human (from Siberia), the Luzon human (from the Philippines) and the Neanderthal human.

Of the early humans, Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) lived in Europe 200,000 to 30,000 years ago. The Neanderthals had a robust build and they were shorter than modern humans. The brain was big: 1,500cm³.

A strong build was useful when hunting for large animals. Neanderthals knew how to make clothes from animal skins. Keeping a campfire was a new skill in handling fire. However, these skilled hunters disappeared 30,000 years ago. The species Homo sapiens may have contributed to the destruction of Neanderthals as they competed for habitat and food.

Modern humans, who spread from the northern parts of Africa, also interbred with their Neanderthal neigbours. The proportion of Neanderthal-inherited genetic material is about two percent and is found in all non-African populations. As an example, a gene form that causes redness in the cheeks has been found in the genome of both Neanderthals and Europeans.

Journey of Mankind Becoming Human

The Neanderthal human had a robust build, and lived in Europe with modern human 200,000 to 30,000 years ago.

At the time of the disappearance of Neanderthals, the Homo sapiens living in Africa and Eurasia were already in many respects skilled and advanced members of the human race. Big game hunting became more efficient thanks to inventions such as bows and spears. Cave paintings from this time show the development of artistic talents and human culture. The Homo sapiens also began to bury their dead with various weapons and jewellery, which the deceased were believed to need in life after death.

Discovered in 1868, Cro-Magnon 1 was among the first fossils to be recognized as belonging to our own species—Homo sapiens, who had arrived in Europe 40000 years ago. This famous fossil skull is from one of several modern human skeletons found at the famous rock shelter site of Cro-Magnon in France.

Modern human (Homo sapiens sapiens) gradually adapted to different climatic conditions and inhabited new areas. Population growth brought new challenges, and skills developed toward starting agriculture.