Homo erectus

Homo erectus

Homo erectus is widely thought to have evolved from Homo habilis nearly 2 million years ago, [Boyd & Silk 1997] , pp 428-435, and to have given rise to Homo sapiens about 500,000 years ago.

H. erectus was the first hominid to leave Africa, after which it colonised the entire Old World, [Boyd & Silk 1997] , pp 437-440. Asian specimens were the only ones known until the 1950s.

The most famous specimens are "Java Man", "Peking Man", ER 3733 from Koobi Fora and WT 15000 [Boyd & Silk 1997] , pp 432-434, from West Turkana in Kenya.

• Why is the classification of ER 3733 (above) controversial?

The species is characterised by a much enlarged brain, a diverse array of stone implements, meat eating and the use of fire; see [Boyd & Silk 1997] , pp 440-448.