These are believed to be the ancestors of man and apes, they lived in Africa, China, Europe and some parts of the Indian subcontinent. When Dryopithecus was alive, the tropical lowlands where they lived were densely forested, so the members could have predominantly been herbivores.

Their canines are bigger as compared to those of humans but not as advanced as those in other living apes. Their limbs weren't unduly long. The skull didn't have the advanced crests and large brow ridges that are found in modern apes.

• Their first remains were discovered from Punjab and later in Africa. They lived in open grasslands. Two evidences confirm their status:

1. Thickened tooth enamel, strong jaws and shorter canines.

2. Usage of hands for food and defense and extrapolations of upright posture.

• Their remains were found in 1924 in Africa. On an average, they weighed 60-80 pounds.

• As seen from the fossil, the Australopithecus had traits of both Humans and apes. They walked on 2 legs like humans, but they had small brains like apes. Their canine teeth were smaller then those of apes while their cheek teeth were larger then that of Humans.

• The most famous specimen of Australopithecus is Lucy, a preserved and fossilized skeleton, dated back to 3.2 mya and was found in Ethiopia.

• 1. This variety had large cranial capacities and is believed to have lived in groups. Homo erectus used tools comprising quartz. Tools made of bones and wood were also found. The Homo Erectus is believed to reside in caves.

• H. erectus were Medium stature humans that walked upright. Their braincase was low, forehead receded while their nose jaws and palates were wide. Their brain was smaller than humans while their teeth were larger than Humans. They were also known to be able to control Fire.

Homo Erectus evolved into Homo sapiens. Two more sub-species of Homo sapiens evolved; Homo Sapiens Neanderthals and Homo Sapiens Sapiens.

Neanderthals used hand axes and walked upright. These species were able to hunt animals like Mammoths.

• Homo Sapiens Sapiens were the modern men, whose jaws reduced, chins curved, and skull rounded. They hunted for food and art appeared for the first time during their period.

• Homo sapiens are distinguished from other species in the genus through various characteristics and habits such as their bipedal stance and gait, high forehead, small teeth and jaw, defined chin, brain capacity averaging about 1350 cc, construction and use of tools as well as their ability to use symbols.