First humans in Europe
A big freeze previously unknown to science drove early humans from Europe for 200,000 years, until more resilient humans – with evolutionary changes that allowed survival – returned

1.5-1.2 million years ago: Fossils and stone tools of ancient human species known as Homo erectus found in southern Europe 

1.12m years ago: Ocean sediments show temperatures suddenly drop by 5-7°C – below freezing. No fossil evidence for next 200,000 years

900,000 years ago: More advanced species called Homo antecessor – resilient to colder conditions – returns to Europe

Homo erectus: Longest surviving of all human relatives. H.erectus lived 1.9 million-250,000 years ago

400,000 years ago: Our species – Homo sapiens – evolves in Africa. Homo neanderthalensis, believed
to have descended from H. erectus, emerges in Europe

320,000-298,000 years ago: Middle Stone Age – H. sapiens in Africa develop spears and use animal hides for clothing

60,000-50,000 years ago: H. sapiens migrate out of Africa

40,000 years ago: H. sapiens becomes only human species
as Neanderthals die out

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Neanderthals: Closest extinct human relatives

Sources: Science, Reuters Pictures: Getty Images, Natural History Museum © GRAPHIC NEWS