(a species of owlet moth (Noctuid)) Some caterpillars, after they emerge from their egg, can increase their weight by 25,000 times.

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Human evolution

We humans have been so successful in spreading across the world and changing our habitat to suit ourselves that it is sometimes easy to forget that we are animals too. But how did we separate from the other great apes, and where did modern humans first evolve? Find out the answers to these intriguing questions and much more. 

  • Museum scientist Chris Stringer holding a hominid skull
    How modern humans evolved

    Explore the early origins of our species, Homo sapiens, and find out how recent discoveries are shaping the understanding of where and when our species evolved.

  • Neanderthal skull
    3D hominid skulls interactive

    Compare the skulls of chimpanzees, modern humans, and some extinct species of hominid, to see which were most closely related and how skull shape has evolved.

  • How Lucy, the most famous Australopithecus afarensis individual, may have looked
    Augmented reality Lucy

    Australopithecus afarensis is one of the oldest early human relatives known to walk upright on 2 legs. Now, with augmented reality, you can watch the most famous individual, Lucy, walking around your room.

  • How a Neanderthal man may have looked
    Augmented reality Neanderthal

    Meet a Neanderthal. These skilled hunter-gatherers died out around 30,000 years ago but with augmented reality you can bring one to life in 3D in your own home.

  • Drawing of Homo neanderthalensis
    Neanderthal (Homo neanderthalensis) factfile

    Neanderthals evolved in Europe and Asia while we were evolving in Africa. They were probably our closest relatives. Watch an animation of a Neanderthal and find out more about their distinctive features and what we know about their behaviour.

  • Small hand tools from 50,000 - 20,000 years ago
    The ancient human occupation of Britain

    When did humans first arrive in Britain and how did they live? Find out about the Ancient Human Occupation of Britain project and some of its major discoveries so far.

  • Human skull-cup
    Human evolution in the news

    Keep up to date with the most recent research and discoveries that are adding to the understanding of our ancient past.

  • Human branches of the Tree of Life
    Interactive Tree of Life

    Find out how you and other species are related to each other. Just how close are you to a banana?

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