Who Was the First Person on Earth? The term maanav means “human” and is derived from the name Manu, son of Prajapati and Shatrupa. The name Ananti also means “mother” and is the mother of Brahma, Saraswati, and Manu. However, there is no consensus about the exact time of their birth. Among all the theories, one seems to have the most support.
Adam
According to the Bible, Adam was the first person on earth. He was created by God. God created the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, and they were given life and the authority to populate the earth. The name Adam is derived from the Hebrew adomah, meaning “man,” while Eve means “life.” The Bible also says that Adam’s first son married a woman from a distant city and became a builder. Although there are several stories about Adam, the Bible is the only source of information regarding these figures.
While the Bible does not mention pre-Adamic races, it does mention the creation of humans and other animals on Earth. If Adam was the first person on earth, how could he have inherited the human DNA from his parents? Obviously, it was impossible for his descendants to have gotten married to a woman from another man without any sexual intercourse. But we cannot dismiss Adam as the first person on earth.
While Adam is the first person to have a capacity for rebellion against God, it is unclear whether he was the first human in a pre-populated world. The Bible makes more sense if Adam lived in a world that was already populated at the time of his creation. The Bible also shows that Cain expressed concern about the “others” who were unnamed in Chapter 4. God validated his concern by marking him.
Cain
According to Scripture, Cain was the first person to live on the earth. He and his wife, Eve, had two sons: Abel and Cain. In the end, Cain killed Abel, leaving behind four children, and moved to the east to live with his family. Genesis 2 describes how God created man and woman on the sixth day of creation. When Adam and Eve were created, they were the only humans on Earth. In Gen 1:28, God told them to multiply and fill the earth.
The naming of these sons is problematic. According to the Bible, Cain’s name came from the Hebrew names, which include “Qabil.” The Qur’an does not mention Cain by name; he is recorded as Qabil. Another name for Cain is “Hazel.” This word occurs in masoretic texts at 1 Samuel 6:18. It means “lamentation.” The name of Cain’s son ties to the theme of exile from the land of Israel.
Genesis says that Cain was cursed for his murder of his brother. This act marks the beginning of evil and the corruption of the earth. As a result, God sent a flood to cleanse the earth. The flood is the result of God’s judgment of Cain’s sin. This is why so many people don’t believe that the Bible is accurate or reliable. The Bible does mention the names of Cain and Abel, but does not specify exactly what they mean.
Khalifah
Islam believes that the first person on earth was the Prophet Adam. This is because God used the word “khalifah” for Adam, which means “successor.” Before Adam, there were no people on earth, and God created Adam for the purpose of guiding men. Adam was raised with knowledge, and was made the leader of mankind. In addition, Islam does not believe in instant creation, as many other religions do.
The Quran reports the creation of man in the second chapter, Baqara (Cow). The Quran also reveals the story of Dawud (‘a), which is explained in earlier verses. The Prophet (‘a) was created after Allah consulted with angels such as Iblis, who warned him of the violent future man would have. Allah was not deterred by the angels’ objections and allowed man to become the first khalifah.
There are two primary versions of this verse. The first version says that God appointed Adam as the first Khalifah, but that it wasn’t exclusively Adam. The second version says that Dawud was a Khalifah, while the third version has Jesus as the first Khalifah. Scholars also say that the first Khalifah was Dawud.
Homo erectus
During the last two million years, scientists have found a variety of fossils that prove that Homo erectus was the original human. These fossils include the cranial fragment Sts 19 from Member 4 of Sterkfontein, South Africa, and the temporal bone KNM-BC 1 from the Chemeron Formation in Kenya. The mandible UR 501 from Uraha, Malawi, dates to between 2.5 and 1.9 million years ago.
Although the earliest appearance of H. erectus is still controversial, fossils of the species have become a valuable part of science. While H. ergaster is found mostly in Africa, H. erectus is classified as a large-bodied species with regional variation. There are many differences between the two species, but the latter is more likely the ancestor of the former.
Erectus was a skilled explorer, with advanced social structures and a more robust body than its ancestors. In addition to its larger size, Homo erectus could withstand large losses of water while gathering food. Its advanced dietary and social practices enabled it to move across hostile terrain. In addition, Russian scientist Yuri A Mochanov has found stone implements from H. erectus colonies in Siberia.
The Nariokotome boy skeleton provides a detailed insight into the paleobiology of H. erectus. The fusion of growth plates, also known as ossification, suggests that the boy was about 13 years old at the time of his death. Its teeth also show hints of microscopic growth increments. As a result, H. erectus was an earlier human than modern humans.
Homo habilis
Although H. habilis was the first person on Earth, its classification as a member of the Homo genus remains controversial. It lacked the characteristics of later hominins, such as a large brain and slim hips, and it lacked a large, sophisticated sweating system. It was also much shorter than modern humans, standing at 1.3 meters (4’3″) on average. It had a smaller brain than modern humans, but its head was still much larger than modern Homo sapiens.
The first person on earth is thought to have been a member of two species: Homo habilis and Homo erectus. The fossils of these two species were found in northern Kenya. The two species co-existed in the same region and lived approximately half a million years apart. Homo erectus was the first hominin to disperse beyond Africa.
After 1.8 million years, Homo erectus emerged in Africa. It had twice as large a brain than Homo habilis, and was the first direct human ancestor to leave Africa. It was also the first species to display signs of fire. Unfortunately, Homo habilis died out about a million years ago, probably from an attack by Australopithecus.
Homo rudolfensis
The theory that Homo rudolfenusis was the first person to exist on Earth is still in question. This archaic human lived in East Africa during the Early Pleistocene. It coexisted with several other hominin species, but there are no definitively assigned fossil remains of this species. There is still much debate over the validity of the fossil remains of Homo rudolfensis, as some scientists prefer Australopithecus, others like the name Kenyanthropus, and still others suggest that it was either H. rudolfensis or H. habilis.
A fossil hominin called Homo rudolfen-fensis has been discovered in Harbin, China. It is a near-perfectly preserved fossil cranium of an immature Homo. The fossil is the largest Homo skull ever discovered. It represents the earliest human species, but its fossils are not the only evidence of its existence.
The fossils of this species are similar to those of other hominins, and it was recently suggested that the earliest people on Earth may have been non-erectus. For instance, OH 28 has a pelvic morphology resembling that of Homo erectus. The KNM-ER-5881 fossil also has a dorsally thick iliac tuberosity and a flat pelvis. Its pelvis is devoid of the genital crest, while P. aethiopicus has a pelvic pillar that is weakly developed.
The differences between these two species are significant. In the absence of any evidence that Homo rudolfensis was the first person on Earth, scientists would have to speculate. The other species, Homo aethiopicus, and Au. aethiopicus, have a close baraminic distance, while the au. africanus and habilis have a much smaller distance.
User Guide: Who Was the First Person on Earth?
This guide explores the scientific understanding of “the first person on Earth,” delving into human evolution and the earliest known ancestors of our species, Homo sapiens.
Introduction: Defining “First Person”
The concept of a single “first person” on Earth is more complex than it appears. From a scientific perspective, human evolution is a gradual process spanning millions of years, not a single event. Our lineage diverged from other primates, with various hominin species appearing and disappearing over time. When we talk about “the first person,” we are generally referring to the emergence of anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens).
The Evolutionary Journey to Homo Sapiens
Our journey to becoming Homo sapiens began millions of years ago in Africa. Here’s a simplified timeline of key evolutionary stages:
- ~6-7 Million Years Ago (mya): Divergence from Great Apes
- This is the estimated period when the human lineage split from the lineage that led to modern chimpanzees and bonobos. Early hominins like Sahelanthropus tchadensis (7-6 mya in Chad) and Orrorin tugenensis (6 mya in Kenya) are considered among the earliest potential ancestors.
- ~4-2 Million Years Ago: Australopithecus
- Genera like Australopithecus (e.g., Australopithecus afarensis – famously “Lucy” at 3.2 mya in Ethiopia) evolved in East Africa. These hominins were bipedal (walked upright) but still retained ape-like features.
- ~2.8 Million Years Ago: Emergence of the Genus Homo
- The earliest documented representative of our own genus, Homo, is Homo habilis (“handy man”), appearing around 2.8 million years ago in Eastern and Southern Africa. They are associated with the earliest positive evidence of stone tool use. Other early Homo species include Homo rudolfensis and Homo erectus.
- ~1.89 Million – 110,000 Years Ago: Homo erectus
- Homo erectus (“upright man”) was a significant species, ranging from Southern Africa to modern-day China and Indonesia. They developed more advanced tools and were the first hominins to migrate out of Africa.
- ~700,000 – 200,000 Years Ago: Homo heidelbergensis
- This species is often considered a common ancestor to both Homo sapiens and Neanderthals.
- ~300,000 Years Ago: Appearance of Homo sapiens
- Anatomically modern humans, Homo sapiens, evolved in Africa during a period of dramatic climate change. The oldest known remains of Homo sapiens (skull fragments, jawbone, and stone tools) were found at Jebel Irhoud, Morocco, dated to approximately 315,000 years ago. Other early Homo sapiens fossils include those from Omo Kibish, Ethiopia (~200,000 years ago) and Florisbad, South Africa (~260,000 years ago).
Key Scientific Concepts
- Mitochondrial Eve:
- Concept: This refers to the matrilineal most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of all living humans. She is the most recent woman from whom all living humans descend through an unbroken line purely through their mothers.
- Evidence: Scientists trace mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which is inherited almost exclusively from the mother. By analyzing mutations in mtDNA across global populations, they can estimate the time back to a common female ancestor.
- Estimated Time & Location: Mitochondrial Eve is estimated to have lived in Africa between 100,000 and 200,000 years ago. It’s crucial to understand that she was not the only woman alive at the time, nor was she the “first” human. She was simply the woman whose female lineage successfully continued to the present day.
- Y-Chromosomal Adam:
- Concept: Similar to Mitochondrial Eve, this refers to the patrilineal most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of all living human males. He is the most recent man from whom all living human males descend through an unbroken line of their male ancestors.
- Evidence: Scientists trace the Y-chromosome, which is inherited exclusively from father to son.
- Estimated Time & Location: Y-chromosomal Adam is estimated to have lived in Africa between 160,000 and 300,000 years ago, a timeframe generally compatible with Mitochondrial Eve and the emergence of Homo sapiens.
- Out of Africa Theory:
- Concept: This widely accepted theory proposes that Homo sapiens originated in Africa and then migrated out, populating the rest of the world.
- Evidence: Genetic studies (including mtDNA and Y-chromosome analysis) and fossil records strongly support this theory. The first migrations out of Africa are believed to have begun approximately 70,000-100,000 years ago.
Who Was the First Person on Earth?
The quest to identify the “first person on Earth” delves deep into the realms of anthropology, archaeology, and genetics. Rather than pinpointing a singular individual, this exploration reveals a gradual evolution of traits over millions of years, leading to the emergence of modern humans.
Early Hominins: Our Ancient Ancestors
Sahelanthropus tchadensis (~7 million years ago)
Discovered in Chad, Sahelanthropus tchadensis is one of the oldest known hominins. Fossil evidence suggests it had a combination of ape-like and human-like features, including a small brain size and possibly bipedal locomotion.
Australopithecus afarensis (~3.9–2.9 million years ago)
Famous for the specimen “Lucy,” Australopithecus afarensis exhibited both tree-climbing adaptations and bipedalism, marking a significant step in human evolution.
The Genus Homo: Pioneers of Tool Use
Homo habilis (~2.4–1.4 million years ago)
Known as the “handy man,” Homo habilis is credited with the earliest known use of stone tools, signifying a leap in cognitive abilities.
Homo erectus (~1.9 million–110,000 years ago)
Homo erectus showcased significant advancements: a larger brain, use of fire, and more sophisticated tools. They were also the first hominins to migrate out of Africa, reaching parts of Asia and Europe.
Homo sapiens: The Dawn of Modern Humans
Modern humans, Homo sapiens, emerged approximately 300,000 years ago in Africa. Fossil evidence from sites like Jebel Irhoud in Morocco supports this timeline. Homo sapiens exhibited advanced behaviors such as symbolic thought, art, and complex language.
Migration and Interbreeding
Between 70,000 and 50,000 years ago, Homo sapiens began migrating out of Africa, interacting and interbreeding with other hominin species like Neanderthals and Denisovans. Genetic studies reveal that non-African modern humans carry approximately 1-2% Neanderthal DNA.
Infographic: Timeline of Human Evolution
Further Reading
Visual Exploration
For a deeper understanding, consider watching this informative video:
Understanding human evolution is a continually evolving field, with new discoveries regularly reshaping our comprehension of our origins. While we may never identify a singular “first person,” the journey of human evolution is a testament to the complexity and adaptability of our species.
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