menu Home chevron_right
SCIENCE

The First Humans (That We Know Of) | Lindsay Nikole

Lindsay Nikole | January 3, 2026



Want to restore the planet’s ecosystems and see your impact in monthly videos? Use code LINDSAY12 to join Planet Wild and get the first month for free at: https://planetwild.com. If you want to get to know them better first, check out their mission about lions: https://planetwild.com/missions/23-protecting-lions-with-lights

Ever wondered how we went from tree-climbing apes to fire-making humans? Journey through the emergence of our genus, Homo! Meet Homo habilis, the “handyman” who first shaped stone tools 2 million years ago, explore the debate around Homo rudolfensis, and discover Homo erectus the first humans to leave Africa, master fire, and spread across the globe. Learn how bigger brains, upright walking, and revolutionary technologies like cooking transformed our ancestors into apex predators and set the stage for modern humanity.

Oh! And I wrote a book, so definitely make sure to grab it—Epic Earth out now!
Order Here: https://a.co/d/54fdZqI

NEW MERCH- https://lindsaynikole.com/

#LindsayNikole #firsthuman #homohabilis

Don’t miss a video! Subscribe NOW: https://www.youtube.com/@LindsayNikole?sub_confirmation=1

ABOUT LINDSAY NIKOLE
Join zoologist Lindsay Nikole for vivid stories about evolution, animal behavior, and the wonderfully weird life around (and before) us. Each video dives into creatures you’ve never met and facts you’ll never forget, blending science with humor, visuals, and memorable explanations. From viral mystery IDs and prehistoric deep dives to myth-busting and conservation context, this channel makes complex biology easy and exciting to understand.

Follow Lindsay Nikole here:
Order Lindsay’s new book: https://geni.us/EpicEarth?brid=yl-xFobehfULq0HItSrw1g
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsay_nikole
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindsayNikoleTheZoologist
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lindsaynikole
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2IDSBorwoeXSD3r67kFTQH?si=Mb2Dg1fgRXWZQzfIzSqgmg&nd=1
Merch: https://www.lindsaynikole.com

Chapters:
00:00 “The First Humans” (That We Know Of)
01:30 The Earliest Members of Human Lineage
02:08 “Homo Habilis” The Handyman
05:35 The First Tools “Oldowan stone tools”
12:15 “Homo Rudolfensis” A new species?
17:30 The Rise of “Homo Erectus”
18:45 “Java and Peking Man” that shattered old ideas
25:40 The Day Fire Changed Everything
27:55 Humans at the Top of the Food Chain
28:18 “Homo Ergaster” Species or Variant?
29:05 “Turkana Boy” A Glimpse of Growing Up Human

The First Humans (That We Know Of) | Lindsay Nikole
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrc2iv2-G1FZ3VscM3zu2jg

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Written by Lindsay Nikole

Comments

This post currently has 48 comments.

  7. @toohopeful160

    January 3, 2026 at 12:52 am

    This is my first time seeing one of your videos, and you really give the impression of a millennial teacher at a public school trying to be hip with the kids to keep their attention, and I mean that in the most sincere and affectionate way possible. Your video is very informative and fun to watch, and I enjoyed it as someone who likes history and has been interested in ancient human history lately. Definitely subscribing!

  12. @BirdSniff

    January 3, 2026 at 12:52 am

    Really just love Lindsay and glad for what she's doing, collabing with other people. I hope im a little bit like her in my enthusiam and humor working with animals and animal caretakers. What an excellent channel.

  13. @blandp11

    January 3, 2026 at 12:52 am

    I wonder if any of my (our) Homo Erectus type ancestors live outside of Africa than migrated back? Basically I wonder how much gene flow Homo Erectus had back into Africa that made it into me?

  15. @jameshowlet4767

    January 3, 2026 at 12:52 am

    love the video's the blue green example not great if you use the colour breakdown – RGB or CMYK you can find the mid point easy between where the colour shifts from one to the other

  22. @Astrilidae

    January 3, 2026 at 12:52 am

    Ok so during the evolution from one group to another, at what point is the line drawn for each type. So for example at what point do you decide a specimen is advanced enough to be put under Homo Habilis instead of Australopithecus. This is something I definitely think about too much.

  30. @quinnpd

    January 3, 2026 at 12:52 am

    They didn't know Homo Rudolfensis was there until they went to the dig site at night. The red glow from their noses was shining up through the dirt.

  37. @0huckleberry

    January 3, 2026 at 12:52 am

    Hey do you think using AI would help categorize different species or just muddy the waters more?
    .
    I would imagine all the bones and skull have been scanned and recorded. I would think a AI program could filter through and sort out who goes where

  47. @H8timusPrime

    January 3, 2026 at 12:52 am

    When you made that comment about your own height, I just now noticed that the light switch is level with your shoulder.. 😅😂 Dang, you are little. Luckily your personality makes you seem a lot bigger.

Comments are closed.

Related
How To Use The Deepmind With Your Modular
Benn Jordan | April 12, 2026
Related
BEST IMAGES OF THE WEEK: IMG! Episode 23
Vsauce | April 12, 2026
Related
The Rise and Fall of The Dinosaurs | Full Documentary
Big Scientific Questions | April 12, 2026

This area can contain widgets, menus, shortcodes and custom content. You can manage it from the Customizer, in the Second layer section.

 

 

 

Go to album
  • play_circle_filled

    92.9 : The Torch

  • play_circle_filled

    AGGRO
    'Til Deaf Do Us Part...

  • play_circle_filled

    SLACK!
    The Music That Made Gen-X

  • play_circle_filled

    KUDZU
    The Northwoods' Alt-Country & Americana

  • play_circle_filled

    BOOZHOO
    Indigenous Radio

  • play_circle_filled

    THE FLOW
    The Northwoods' Hip Hop and R&B

play_arrow skip_previous skip_next volume_down
playlist_play