List of human evolution fossils


The following tables give an overview of notable finds of hominin fossils and remains relating to human evolution, beginning with the formation of the tribe Hominini in the late Miocene, roughly 7 to 8 million years ago.
As there are thousands of fossils, mostly fragmentary, often consisting of single bones or isolated teeth with complete skulls and skeletons rare, this overview is not complete, but shows some of the most important findings. The fossils are arranged by approximate age as determined by radiometric dating and/or incremental dating and the species name represents current consensus; if there is no clear scientific consensus the other possible classifications are indicated.
The early fossils shown are not considered ancestors to Homo sapiens but are closely related to ancestors and are therefore important to the study of the lineage. After 1.5 million years ago, all fossils shown are human. After 11,500 years ago, all fossils shown are Homo sapiens, illustrating recent divergence in the formation of modern human sub-populations.

[Late Miocene] (7.2–5.5 million years old)

The chimpanzee–human divergence likely took place around 10 to 7 million years ago. The list of fossils begins with Sahelanthropus, dated some 7 million years ago, which may or may not be ancestral to both the human and the chimpanzee lineage, although its status as a hominin or a hominin ancestor remain debated. For the earlier history of the human lineage, see Timeline of human evolution#Hominidae, Hominidae#Phylogeny.

ImageNameAge SpeciesYear
discovered
CountryDiscovered byNow located at
TM 266 (Toumai)7.00–6.00Sahelanthropus tchadensis2001Chad
Site:Djurab Desert
Alain Beauvilain, Fanone Gongdibe, Mahamat Adoum and Ahounta DjimdoumalbayeN'Djamena, BEAC
BAR 1000'006.1–5.7Orrorin tugenensis2000Kenya
Site:Lukeino
Martin Pickford, Kiptalam Cheboi, Dominique Gommery, Pierre Mein, Brigitte Senut-
ALA-VP 1/205.65±0.150Ardipithecus kadabba1997Ethiopia
Site:Middle Awash
Yohannes Haile-Selassie

The Trachilos footprints from the island of Crete as well as the Graecopithecus fossils are not included in the list due to taxonomic uncertainty.

[Pliocene] (5.3–2.58 million years old)

ImageNameAge SpeciesYear
discovered
CountryDiscovered byNow located at
Ardi4.40Ardipithecus ramidus1994EthiopiaYohannes Haile-Selassie
Lothagam mandible 4.60±0.40Australopithecus sp. or undetermined Hominidae1967KenyaArnold Lewis, Bryan Patterson
KNM-TH 131504.70±0.55Orrorin praegens1984KenyaKiptalam Cheboi
KNM-KP 2714.00Australopithecus anamensis1965Kanapoi, KenyaBryan Patterson
Laetoli Footprints3.70Bipedal hominin1976TanzaniaMary Leakey
LH 43.40±0.50Australopithecus afarensis1974Laetoli, TanzaniaMary Leakey
KSD-VP-1/1 3.58Australopithecus afarensis2005EthiopiaYohannes Haile-Selassie
KT-12/H1 (Abel)3.50Australopithecus bahrelghazali1995ChadMamelbaye Tomalta and Michel BrunetN'Djamena, BEAC
KNM-WT 22944 G-J3.50Australopithecus sp.1990KenyaMultinational teamNational Museums of Kenya
KNM-WT 40000 (Flat Faced Man)3.50-3.20Kenyanthropus platyops1999Lake Turkana, KenyaJustus Erus and Meave Leakey
BRT-VP-3/143.40±0.10Australopithecus deyiremeda2015EthiopiaYohannes Haile-Selassie
Stw 573 (Little foot)3.67Australopithecus prometheus1994Sterkfontein, South AfricaRonald J. Clarke
DIK-1 (Selam)3.30Australopithecus afarensis2000EthiopiaZeresenay Alemseged
AL 288-1 (Lucy)3.20Australopithecus afarensis1974EthiopiaTom Gray, Donald Johanson, Yves Coppens and Maurice TaiebNational Museum of Ethiopia
AL 200-13.10±0.10Australopithecus afarensis1975Afar Region, EthiopiaDonald Johanson Yves Coppens and Maurice Taieb
AL 129-13.10±0.10Australopithecus afarensis1973Afar Region, EthiopiaDonald Johanson
AL 444-23.00Australopithecus afarensis1992Afar Region, EthiopiaYoel Rak
LD 350-12.775±0.025Homo2013EthiopiaChalachew Seyoum
Taung Child 13.03–2.61Australopithecus africanus1924Buxton-Norlim Limeworks, South AfricaRaymond DartUniversity of the Witwatersrand

[Pleistocene]

[Lower Paleolithic]: 2.58–0.3 million years old

NameAge SpeciesDate
discovered
CountryDiscovered byNow located at
KNM-WT 17000
(The Black Skull)
2.50Paranthropus aethiopicus1985KenyaAlan Walker
BOU-VP-12/1302.50Australopithecus garhi1997EthiopiaYohannes Haile-Selassie
LD-7602.63Australopithecus sp. indet.2025Ethiopia
STS 712.61–2.07Australopithecus africanus1947Sterkfontein, South AfricaRobert Broom and John T. RobinsonDitsong National Museum of Natural History
STS 522.61–2.07Australopithecus africanus1947Sterkfontein, South AfricaRobert BroomDitsong National Museum of Natural History
UR 501 2.40±0.10Homo rudolfensis1991MalawiTyson Msiska, Timothy Bromage, Friedemann Schrenk
STS 5 (Mrs. Ples)
2.07Australopithecus africanus1947Sterkfontein, South AfricaRobert BroomDitsong National Museum of Natural History
DNH 134 2.04Homo erectus2015Drimolen Main Quarry, South AfricaAndy Herries' team University of the Witwatersrand
DNH 1552.04–1.95Paranthropus robustus2018Drimolen Main Quarry, South AfricaAndy Herries and Stephanie Baker's team University of the Witwatersrand
DNH 1522.04–1.95Paranthropus robustus2018Drimolen Main Quarry, South AfricaAndy Herries and Stephanie Baker's team University of the Witwatersrand
DNH 7
(Eurydice)
2.04–1.95Paranthropus robustus1994Drimolen, Drimolen Main Quarry, South AfricaR. Smith and André KeyserUniversity of the Witwatersrand
KNM-ER 640602.03Homo habilis2012Ileret, Kenya
KNM-ER 640612.02Homo habilis2012-2013Ileret, Kenya
TM 15172.0Paranthropus robustus1938South AfricaGert TerblancheDitsong National Museum of Natural History
MH1 1.98Australopithecus sediba2008Malapa, South AfricaMatthew Berger and Lee Rogers BergerUniversity of the Witwatersrand
KNM-ER 18131.90Homo habilis1973KenyaKamoya Kimeu
KNM-ER 14701.90Homo rudolfensis1972KenyaBernard Ngeneo
SK 482.25–1.80Paranthropus robustus1948Swartkrans, South AfricaRobert BroomDitsong National Museum of Natural History
SK 462.25–1.80Paranthropus robustus1949Swartkrans, South AfricaRobert BroomDitsong National Museum of Natural History
SK 8472.25–1.80Homo habilis1949Swartkrans, South AfricaDitsong National Museum of Natural History
OH 24
(Twiggy)
1.80Homo habilis1968TanzaniaPeter Nzube
OH 81.80Homo habilis1960Olduvai, Tanzania
D2700 1.81±0.40Homo erectus2001Dmanisi, GeorgiaDavid Lordkipanidze and Abesalom Vekua
D3444 1.81±0.40Homo erectus2003Dmanisi, GeorgiaDavid Lordkipanidze
D4500 1.81±0.40Homo erectus2005 Dmanisi, GeorgiaDavid Lordkipanidze
KNM-ER 62000–620031.84±0.60Homo rudolfensis2012Koobi Fora, KenyaMeave Leakey's team
KNM-ER 640621.84±0.02Homo erectus2013Ileret, Kenya
OH 5
(Zinj or
nutcracker man)
1.75Paranthropus boisei1959TanzaniaMary Leakey
OH 7 (Johnny's Child)1.75Homo habilis1960TanzaniaJonathan and Mary Leakey
StW 531.8–1.6variously A. africanus, H. habilis, H. gautengensis1976Sterkfontein, South AfricaA. R. HughesUniversity of the Witwatersrand
KNM-ER 18051.74Homo habilis1973/4KenyaPaul Abell
Yuanmou Man1.70
or 0.60–0.50
Homo erectus1965ChinaFang Qian
KNM-ER 4061.70Paranthropus boisei1969KenyaRichard Leakey
KNM-ER 7321.70Paranthropus boisei1970KenyaRichard Leakey
KNM-ER 230001.70Paranthropus boisei1990Koobi Fora, KenyaBenson Kyongo
KNM-WT 174001.70Paranthropus boiseiNot knownLake Turkana KenyaunknownNational Museums of Kenya, Nairobi
KNM-ER 37331.63±0.15Homo ergaster 1975Kenya
Lantian Man1.62±0.03Homo erectus1963Lantian County, ChinaWoo Ju-Kang
KNM-WT 15000
(Turkana Boy)
1.60Homo ergaster 1984Lake Turkana, KenyaKamoya KimeuKenya National Museum
Peninj Mandible1.50Paranthropus boisei1964TanzaniaRichard Leakey
Ileret Footprints1.50Homo erectus2007-2014Ileret, Kenya
KNM-ER 9921.50Homo ergaster 1971KenyaRichard Leakey
KNM-ER 38831.57±0.08Homo erectus1976KenyaRichard Leakey
Mojokerto 1
(Mojokerto child)
1.43±0.10Homo erectus1936IndonesiaAndojo, G.H.R. von Koenigswald
BL02-J54-1001.40Similar to H. heidelbergensisUnknownSpainUnknown
KGA 10-5251.40Paranthropus boisei1993Konso-Gardula, EthiopiaA. Amzaye
OH 9
(Chellean Man)
1.40Homo erectus1960Olduvai, TanzaniaLouis Leakey
Sima del Elephante maxilla1.40Homo erectus?2022Spain
OH 801.34Paranthropus boisei2010Olduvai Gorge, TanzaniaManuel Dominguez-RodrigoNational Museum of Tanzania
ATE9-11.20Homo sp. or Homo erectus?2008SpainEudald CarbonellMuseo de la Evolución Humana, Burgos
Kocabaş1.10Homo erectus2002TurkeyM. Cihat Alçiçek
Daka1.00Homo erectus1997EthiopiaHenry Gilbert
Sangiran 41.00Homo erectus1939IndonesiaG.H.R. von Koenigswald
Sangiran 21.15±0.45Homo erectus1937IndonesiaG.H.R. von Koenigswald
Madam Buya1.00Homo erectus1997EritreaErnesto AbbateNational Museum of Eritrea
ATD6-15 and ATD6-69
0.900Homo antecessor
or
Homo erectus
1994SpainBermúdez & ArsuagaMuseo de la Evolución Humana, Burgos
Trinil 2
Pithecanthropus-1
or
Java Man
0.850±0.150Homo erectus1891IndonesiaEugène DuboisNaturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden
Ternifine 2-3 now Tighennif0.70Homo erectus1954AlgeriaC. Arambourg & B. Hoffstetter
Sangiran 170.70Homo erectus1969IndonesiaS. Sartono
Peking Man0.73±0.50Homo erectus1921ChinaDavidson BlackLost/stolen
Heidel0.60Homo Aeserniensis or Homo Heidelbergensis2014ItalyNational Paleolithic Museum of Isernia
Nanjing Man0.60±0.02Homo erectus1993ChinaLiu Luhong
Bodo0.600Homo heidelbergensis
or
Homo erectus
1976EthiopiaA. Asfaw
Benjamina0.53Homo neanderthalensis2001-2001SpainAna Gracia Téllez
Mauer 1
(Heidelberg Man)
0.50Homo heidelbergensis1907GermanyDaniel HartmannInstitute of Earth Sciences, Heidelberg University
Saldanha man0.50Homo rhodesiensis1953South Africa
Boxgrove Man0.50Homo heidelbergensis1994UKNatural History Museum
Arago 21
(Tautavel Man)
0.45Homo erectus1971FranceHenry de Lumley
Ceprano Man0.450±0.050Homo cepranensis
/Homo heidelbergensis
1994Ceprano, ItalyItalo BiddittuServizio di antropologia, Soprintendenza ai beni culturali, Regione Lazio, Italy
Agamenón0.43Homo neanderthalensis1997SpainPaleontological teamsMuseo de la Evolución Humana, Burgos
Miguelón0.40Homo neanderthalensis1992SpainBermúdez, Arsuaga & CarbonellMuseo de la Evolución Humana, Burgos
Aroeira 30.40Homo heidelbergensis2014PortugalMuseu Nacional de Arqueologia, Lisbon
Salé cranium0.40-0.20Homo sapiens?1971MoroccoQuarry worker
Swanscombe Man0.40Homo neanderthalensis1935, 1936, 1955UKAlvan T Marston, John J Wymer and Adrian GibsonNatural History Museum
Ndutu0.45±.04Homo neanderthalensis affinities1973TanzaniaAmini Aza Mturi
Hexian Man0.412±0.025Homo erectus1980-1981Hexian, China
BH-10.40Homo heidelbergensisMala Balanica, Serbia
Gawis cranium0.350±0.150Homo erectus/Homo sapiens2006EthiopiaAsahmed Humet
Steinheim Skull0.35Homo heidelbergensis1933Germany
Dinaledi Chamber hominins0.325±0.090Homo naledi2013South AfricaRick Hunter and Steven TuckerUniversity of the Witwatersrand

[Middle Paleolithic]: 300,000–50,000 years old

NameAge SpeciesYear
discovered
CountryDiscovered byNow located at
Dragon Man309–138Homo longi 1933ChinaHebei GEO University
Broken Hill 1
299±25Homo rhodesiensis 1921ZambiaTom Zwiglaar
Jebel Irhoud 1–5315±32Homo sapiens2017MoroccoINSAP
Samu275±25Homo heidelbergensis1964HungaryLászló Vértes
Dali Man260±20Homo daliensis1978ChinaShuntang Liu
Jinniushan260-200 kaHomo longi Homo daliensis1984ChinaPaleolithic Archeology Student Excavation Team
Florisbad Skull259±35early Homo sapiens
or Homo heidelbergensis
or Homo helmei
1932South AfricaT. F. Dreyer, G. Venter
Galilee Man250±50Homo heidelbergensis1925IsraelFrancis Turville-Petre
Coupe-Gorge250Homo heidelbergensis1949FranceRaoul Cammas
Montmaurin-La Niche mandible250Homo heidelbergensis1949FranceRaoul CammasMusée de l'Homme
Saccopastore 1250Homo neanderthalensis1929Grotta Guattari / ItalyMario Grazioli
Saccopastore 2250Homo neanderthalensis1935Grotta Guattari / ItalyHenry Breuil and Alberto Carlo Blanc
Narmada Human236-46Homo erectus or Homo sapiens1982Narmada River, IndiaArun Sonakia-
Bontnewydd Palaeolithic site, Denbighshire, Wales230Homo neanderthalensis1981Wales, UK
Apidima 1
210Homo sapiens1978Apidima Cave / GreeceTheodore Pitsios
Petralona 1200±40Homo heidelbergensis 1960Greece
Omo remains233±22 or 195±5Homo sapiens1967EthiopiaRichard Leakey
Laterite Baby190H. erectus
or
H. sapiens
2001Tamil Nadu, IndiaP Rajendran
Misliya-1187±13Homo sapiens2002IsraelIsrael Hershkovitz
Apidima 2
170Homo neanderthalensis1978Apidima Cave / GreeceTheodore Pitsios
Penghu 1160±30 or 40±30Denisovan?TaiwanNational Museum of Natural Science
Herto remains160Homo sapiens1997EthiopiaTim White
Xiahe mandible160Denisovan1980China
Altamura Man151±21Homo neanderthalensis1993Italyin situ
Nesher Ramla Homo140±120Nesher Ramla Homo
or
Homo neanderthalensis
2021IsraelIsrael Hershkovitz
Maba Man140±120early modern human,
Homo neanderthalensis
or
Denisovan
1958Shaogun, ChinaInstitute of [Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology]
Callao Man
134±14Homo luzonensis2011–2015Callao Cave, PhilippinesFlorent Détroit & Armand Mijares
EH 06132–88Homo sapiens ?2002–2006Lake Eyasi, TanzaniaManuel Domínguez-Rodrigo
LH 18120±30Homo sapiens1976Ngaloba beds at Laetoli, TanzaniaMary Leakey
Tabun C1120Homo neanderthalensis1967IsraelArthur Jelinek
Fuyan Teeth120-80Homo sapiens2011China
Zhiren 1-3116-106Homo sapiens2010China
Sarstedt (Sst) I-III115-58Homo neanderthalensis?1997-1999GermanyFrangenberg brothers
Krapina 3113.5±13.5Homo neanderthalensis1899CroatiaDragutin Gorjanović-Kramberger
Ngandong 7112Homo erectus1931IndonesiaC. ter Haar and G. H. R. von Koenigswald
Denisova 8110Denisovan2010Russia
Qafzeh 695±5Homo sapiens1930IsraelR. Neuville, M. Stekelis
Qafzeh 9100–90Homo sapiens1933IsraelB. Vandermeersch
Scladina103±23Homo neanderthalensis1993Belgium
Skhul 5100±20Homo sapiens1933IsraelT. McCown and H. Moivus Jr.
Skhul 9100±20Homo sapiens Israel
Klasies River Caves100±25Homo sapiens1960South AfricaRay Inskeep, Robin Singer, John Wymer, Hilary Deacon
Eve's footprints117Homo sapiens1995South AfricaDavid Roberts & Lee R. Berger
Denny90Hybrid2012Denisova Cave / Siberia / RussiaViviane Slon & Svante PääboMax Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Panga ya Saidi78.3±4.1Homo sapiens2021Kenya
Obi-Rakhmat 175Homo neanderthalensis2003Uzbekistan
Teshik-Tash Skull70Homo neanderthalensis1938UzbekistanA. Okladnikov
La Ferrassie 170Homo neanderthalensis1909FranceR. Capitan and D. Peyrony
Shanidar 170±10Homo neanderthalensis1961IraqRalph Solecki
Sambungmacan (Sm) 1-470- 40Homo erectus1973-2001IndonesiaConstruction and fossil collectors
Callao Man
66.7±1Homo luzonensis2007Callao Cave, PhilippinesFlorent Détroit & Armand Mijares
La Quina 565Homo neanderthalensisFrance
La Chapelle-aux-Saints 160Homo neanderthalensis1908FranceA. and J. Bouyssonie and L. Bardon
Kebara 2 60Homo neanderthalensis1983IsraelLynne Schepartz
Amud 755±5Homo neanderthalensisIsrael
LB 1 (Hobbit)55±5Homo floresiensis2003Liang Bua, IndonesiaPeter Brown
Manot 155Homo sapiens2008Israel
La Quina 1852.5±7.5Homo neanderthalensisFrance
Tam Pa Ling Cave54.5±8.5Homo sapiens2009Laos

[Upper Paleolithic]: 50,000–11,500 years old

NameAge SpeciesDate
discovered
CountryDiscovered byNow located at
Mungo Man50±10Homo sapiens1974Australia
Mt. Circeo 150±10Homo neanderthalensis1939ItalyProf. Blanc
SID-00B49.2±2.5Homo neanderthalensis1994Sidrón Cave, Spain
Simanya Neanderthals49-42Homo neanderthalensis1978-1979, 2022Simanya Cave, SpainMiguel AznarArchaeology Museum of Catalonia
Callao Man
49.6±1.2Homo luzonensis2011–2015Callao Cave, PhilippinesFlorent Détroit & Armand Mijares
Tabon tibia
47±11Homo sapiens2000Tabon Caves, PhilippinesNational Museum of Anthropology
Ust'-Ishim man45Homo sapiens2008RussiaNikolai Peristov
Kents Cavern 4 maxilla43.5±2.5Homo sapiens1927UKTorquay Museum, Devon, UK
Zlatý kůň woman43Homo sapiens1950Czech Republic
Tianyuan man40.5±1.5Homo sapiens2007China
Amud 141Homo neanderthalensis1961IsraelHisashi Suzuki
Neanderthal 140Homo neanderthalensis1856GermanyJohann Carl Fuhlrott
Denisova hominin 40Homo sp. Altai
2008RussiaJohannes Krause, et al.
hominin toe bone40Homo sp. Altai 2010Russia
Oase 142–37Homo sapiens 2002Romania
Kostenki-14 (Markina Gora)40–37Homo sapiens 1954Russia
SID-2037.30±0.83Homo neanderthalensis1994Sidrón Cave, Spain
Balangoda Man37Homo sapiens2012Sri Lanka
Hofmeyr Skull36Homo sapiens1952South Africa
Wadjak 133±4.5Homo sapiens 1888Indonesia
Red Lady of Paviland33Homo sapiens1823Wales, UKWilliam Buckland
Liujiang man33-23Homo sapiens1958China
Yamashita-Cho Man32Homo sapiens1962Japan
Engis 240±10Homo neanderthalensis1829BelgiumPhilippe-Charles Schmerling
Gibraltar 140±10Homo neanderthalensis1848GibraltarCaptain Edmund FlintNatural History Museum, London
Le Moustier40±10Homo neanderthalensis1909France
Denisovan tooth40±10Homo sp. Altai2000Russia
PES-238.9–92Uncertain, possibly Homo neanderthalensisSerbia
PES-131–29Uncertain, possibly Homo sapiensSerbia
Yana RHS31.63Homo sapiensRussia
Sungir I30.25±0.25Homo sapiensRussia
Cro-Magnon 130Homo sapiens 1868FranceLouis Lartet
WLH-5029±5Homo sapiens1982Australia
Pangpond29Homo sapiens2025Khao Sam Roi Yot, Thailand
Predmost 326Homo sapiens1894Czech RepublicKarel Jaroslav Maška
Lapedo Child24.5Homo neanderthalensis
or
Homo sapiens
1998PortugalJoão Zilhão
Mid-Upper Paleolithoic human humerus from Eel Point, Caldey Island, Wales, UK24Homo sapiens1997Wales, UK
MA-1 (Mal'ta boy)24Homo sapiens 1920sRussia
Abri Pataud Woman20.6Homo sapiensFrance
Minatogawa 117±1Homo sapiens1970JapanAnthropology Museum, Tokyo University
Tandou17Homo sapiens1967AustraliaDuncan Merrilees
Tabon skull cap
16.5±2Homo sapiens1962Tabon Caves, PhilippinesRobert B. FoxNational Museum of Anthropology
Gough's Cave14.7Homo sapiens2010UK
Iwo Eleru skull13Homo sapiens1965Nigeria
"Kotias"13Homo sapiens Kotias Klde cave, Georgia
Arlington Springs Man13Homo sapiens1959United StatesPhil Orr
Chancelade find14.5±2.5Homo sapiens1888France
Villabruna 114Homo sapiens 1988ItalyUniversity of Ferrara, not on display
Bonn-Oberkassel double burial14-13Homo sapiens1914Germany
Bichon man13.7Homo sapiens 1956Switzerland
Red Deer Cave13±1.5Homo sapiens1979ChinaDarren Curnoe?

Holocene (11,500–5,000 years old)

NameAge Culture /
association
Year
discovered
CountryDiscovered byNow located at
Luzia11.5Paleo-Indian1975Brazil
Cerro Sota 2111936Chile
"Satsurblia"10Caucasian Epipaleolithic Georgia
Yaho skull10?1961Chad
Kow Swamp 113–91968Australia
Talgai Skull1886Australia
La Brea Woman10 Paleo-Indian1914United States
Combe Capelle9.6 European Mesolithic1909France
Asselar manBetween 9500 BP and 7000 BP, with caution, 6390 BPNeolithic1927Mali
Cheddar Man9 British Mesolithic1903United KingdomNatural History Museum, London
Kennewick Man9 Archaic period (North America)1996United States
Barum Woman8.8 European Mesolithic1939Sweden
Tepexpan manPaleo-Indian1947Mexico
Loschbour man8 European Mesolithic 1935Luxembourg
Minnesota Woman Paleo-Indian1931Minnesota, United States
Lothagam 4b 1965–1975Kenya
Besséʼ7.3–7.2Toalean2015Sulawesi, Indonesia
Ötzi5.3 European Neolithic1991Ötztal Alps, ItalySouth Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, Bolzano, Italy
Tarim mummies4.1 Afanasievo culture1970'sTarim Basin, China

Abbreviations used in fossil catalog name