We probably should have done this about 200 episodes ago, but it's time to lay down the (very very) basics of the evolution of the genus Homo. First of all, how does evolution work? Who were our ancestors, where did they live and when, and how did these populations adapt and branch into different species over time? This is part one of Anna's crash course on early humans, with a second installment coming to the premium feed soon! In that second half, we'll talk specifically about tool use as a "hallmark of human-ness" and cover some surprising examples of non-human tool users.

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To learn more:

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/who-were-the-neanderthals.html#:~:text=Some%20genetic%20calibrations%20place%20their,Homo%20antecessor%20or%20another%20species.

https://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-evolution-interactive-timeline

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0047248416301361?via%3Dihub

BOOK RECOMMENDATION:

Rutherford, Adam

The Book of Humans: A brief history of culture, sex, war, and the evolution of us