Fascinating and Strange Facts About Evolution and Early Humans

The Arrival of the First Recognizable Human Species

Around two million years ago, a new species of Homo called Homo ergaster appeared on Earth. They were considered the first human-like species and a distant ancestor of Homo sapiens. As environmental changes led to global drying and cooling, tropical rainforests cleared and a desert formed in northern Africa.

Homo ergaster was likely the first species to sweat, an effective way to regulate brain and body temperatures. Their skin was smooth, dark, and mostly hairless to protect against the sun. They also developed a narrower pelvis to improve energy efficiency during upright walking, which was groundbreaking for our species.