Carrie Elleman

Colored Pencil, Duralene/Dura-lar, Photoshop Human evolution has always fascinated me. The specimens depicted are unique in that each of them accomplished major “firsts” in our evolutionary history. “Ardi,” Ardipithecus ramidus, is the first known primate who spent time on the ground as well as in the trees. “Lucy,” Australopithecus afarensis, is famous as the first primate we know definitely walked on two legs. “The Handyman,” Homo habilis, is the first primate who used tools. Homo heidelbergensis is unique as the first primate who lived in cold climates, hunted large animals, and lived in shelters of wood and rock.