Stone Age Humans - A Quick Guide for KS2 Students
Updated: Feb 1, 2023
The Stone Age is the name given to the era where human beings began using stones as tools and weapons. But who were these prehistoric human beings? If they're our ancestors, are they like us today?
Here, we'll tell you all about the early species of humans, when and where they existed and what makes them unique.
Homo Habilis
Known As:
Handy Man
Existed Where:
Africa
Existed When:
2 Million – 1.5 million years ago
Who Were They?:
Homo Habilis was the first true human species to evolve from apes and the first species to have a large brain.
Fun Fact:
Homo Habilis was named for the fact that they were apparently the first species to create stone tools
Homo Erectus
Known As:
Upright Man
Existed Where:
Africa
Existed When:
2 million – 150,000 years ago
Who Were They?:
Homo Erectus had long legs which they used to walk long distances. They were the first human species to migrate and spread across the globe.
Fun Fact:
Homo Erectus was probably the first species to learn to control fire and cook food.
Homo Neanderthalensis
Known As:
Neanderthal
Existed Where:
Eurasia
Existed When:
200,000 – 40,000 years ago
Who Were They?:
Neanderthals were the first extinct human species to be discovered by scientists.
They are the most commonly found extinct human species, with bones being found in Europe, Western & Central Asia.
Neanderthals made sophisticated bone and stone tools. They even self-medicated and made art.
Fun Fact:
We did not evolve from Neanderthals. But they could be described as a “cousin” of our species – we are distantly related to them.
Homo Sapiens
Known As:
Wise Man/Modern Humans
Existed Where:
Africa
Existed When:
200,000 years ago – today
Who Are They?:
Us! By about 40,000 years ago, homo sapiens were the last human species surviving on earth.
Fun Facts:
No other species seemed to be able to compete with how advanced we are technologically and artistically.
Loving learning about the Stone Age? Then you'll definitely want Imagining History to bring their 'A Handy Guide to Survive the Stone Age' Interactive workshop to your school.
Our Award-Winning sessions combine role-play, storytelling, demonstrations and drama and performance to bring history to life for your students.
