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4 million BC First erect protohumans appear in Africa, differentiating from their great ape cousins. Human population = 0 > 2 million BC Large-brained bipedal hominids, of the genus homo, appear in Africa. < 2 million BC Homo erectus begins migrating from Africa, and fire was first used as a tool. The African ape diet was partly abandoned as fruit, blossoms, seeds and leaves were less available beyond the tropics, meaning more meat eating. Human population <100,000 c. 400,000 BC Fire consistently used. First regular food processing practiced – cooking. >100,000 c. 130,000 - 100,000 BC First anatomically modern humans appear in Africa and migrate across Asia, eventually displacing other hominid species. c. 40,000 BC Advances in hunting skill and technology allow humans to hunt larger animals. Boats invented. Modern humans first appear in Europe and Australia. c. 30,000 BC Extinction of most large animals in Australia possibly caused by human over-hunting. Humans probably first appear in North and South America. Cave murals are first drawn, in European caves. One of the earliest artistic works, and possibly a religious artifact, the Venus of Willendorf, is made in central Europe. It, and many works like it, is evidence that goddess-based religion flourished from humanity’s earliest days.
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