Our species and the Old Stone Age
315,000 years ago to 10000 BC, about 305,000 years
Homo sapiens appears in Africa and spreads across the world. Hunters and gatherers make tools, paintings and the first art.
The twelve eras, each step to the right ten times closer to today.
Meanwhile, around the world
The 5 places on this site that we know from this era. Today’s coastlines.
Region by region
Africa
- about 315,000 years agoThe oldest known fossils of our species
- about 315,000 years agoJebel Irhoud, Morocco
The Americas
Nothing written here yet. This is a gap in the archive, not in history.
Asia
- at least 67,800 years agoThe oldest dated hand stencil
- at least 51,200 years agoA painted scene with people and a pig
Europe
- 44,200 to 41,500 years agoA modern human jaw in Kents Cavern
- at least 37,300 years agoHand stencils in Europe
The Middle East
Nothing written here yet. This is a gap in the archive, not in history.
Oceania
Nothing written here yet. This is a gap in the archive, not in history.
