As with most ancestrial branches, the genus Homo had several "misstarts", before giving rise to Homo sapiens. Several of the species of Homo were evolutionary dead ends, including Neanderthals, which was very recently genetically proven to not be a direct ancestor of the current living species.

     H. habilis, "handy man", was called such because of evidence of tools found with its remains. H. habilis was one of the first species which was seemingly "human" enough to be catagorized as belonging in the genus Homo than Australopithecus, the hominid genus. H. habilis lived approximately 2.4 and 1.5 million years ago in Africa. Some of H. habilis' distinquishing characteristics include smaller back teeth than A. africanus and a more humanlike face. The brain size lies between 500 and 800 cc, which is bigger than A. africanus yet somewhat below that of H. erectus. Another interesting characteristic of H. habilis is that the bulge of Broca's area, which is necessary for speech, is clearly visible in some H. habilis' casts, indicating a potential for rudimentary speech. Habilis is thought to have been about 127 cm (5'0") tall, and about 45 kg (100 lb) in weight, although females may have been smaller.

     H. erectus was a more diverse species than H. habilis. H. erectus spread through Africa, Asia, and Europe between 1.8 million and 300,000 years ago. H. erectus was characterized as larger and stronger than H. habilis, with size averaging for males being 5'2" at approximately 130 lbs. Brain size of H. erectus was between 750 and 1225 cc. Most individuals of this species were characterized as being more robust, particular those of a later generation. H. erectus was credited with the first use of fire, and had was more proficient with the use of tools.

      Homo sapiens neanderthalensis, or Neanderthal man, lived between 230,000 and 30,000 years ago. While it has been concluded that this species is not a direct ancestor of modern man, Neanderthal man is in fact quite similar to them. Some characteristics of Neanderthal man mimics H. erectus, such as the protruding jaw and slopping brow. Neanderthal man's brain size is a big bigger than modern man, at an average of 1450 cc. Neandertals mostly lived in cold climates, and their body proportions are similar to those of modern cold-adapted peoples: short and solid, with short limbs. The average height was about 5'6" (168 cm), and by bone mass it is believed that they would seem extraordinarily strong by today's standards.
     Neanderthal man was well advanced, using a wide variety of tools with precision. This species is also noted as the first species who buried their dead, and also relied on a more evolved social structure than past Homo species.

     This is the end of the line (for now). Modern man. Modern forms of Homo sapiens first appear about 120,000 years ago. The body size of H. sapiens has been adapting to a sleeker, quicker individual in response to the environment and their way of life. About 40,000 years ago, with the appearance of the Cro-Magnon culture, began a transition to a less nomadic way of life. H. sapiens started incorporating a wide variety of materials for making tools, such as bone and antler. Clothing and art became prominent features of this era. Elaborate cave paintings have been discovered, along with toys, clay sculptures, and musical instruments.



Source: Development of the Genus Homo