In Prehistoric Life:
Our three million year journey from the treetops of Africa to civilisation.
Mother of man
One fossil discovery has transformed views of how we became human. But why is Lucy so important to human evolution? BBC News: Evolution's human and chimp twist
Food for thought
Three million years ago, the Earth's climate was changing, with devastating consequences for the African landscape - and for our ancestors.
Leaving home
But by 2 million years ago, a new species of Homo appeared - the first species we would truly recognise as human.
The first Europeans
Homo heidelbergensis was developing a complex mind - once this boundary had been reached, there was no turning back.
Ice people
Neanderthals' stocky bodies were adapted to withstand the extreme cold of the Ice Age. So why did they die out? BBC News: Neanderthals' 'last rock refuge'
The new batch
Human beings are phenomenally successful animals. But our species, Homo sapiens, once came close to outright extinction.
Related links
Elsewhere onPrehistoric Life
Elsewhere onScience & Nature
Elsewhere onbbc.co.uk
Elsewhere on the web