1. The earliest humanlike creatures appeared in Africa 3 to 5 million years ago, and Homo sapiens emerged around 200,000 years ago. 2. Early humans started using tools around 1-2 million years ago in Africa, Europe, and Asia, and the earliest remains of modern humans emerged around 100,000 years ago. 3. Around 5,000 years ago, a more complex way of life developed in some parts of the world, as humans learned to cultivate plants, herd animals, build pottery for storage, increase harvests, and establish irrigation. They began building towns, cities, industries, and developed writing systems - marking the birth of civilization.