the automny of a hurt heart

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 possibl...