Evolution of man:- Primate ancestors of man from Pliocene epochs?

During the Pliocene epoch, which lasted from about 5.3 to 2.6 million years ago, the ancestors of modern humans were early primates known as hominids. These hominids were bipedal, meaning they walked on two legs, and had larger brains than other primates. They also had more complex social structures and used tools.

One of the most well-known hominids from the Pliocene epoch is Australopithecus afarensis, which lived in East Africa around 3.9 to 2.9 million years ago. This species is best known for the famous fossil skeleton known as "Lucy," which was discovered in Ethiopia in 1974. Australopithecus afarensis had a combination of ape-like and human-like features, such as a small brain size and a protruding face, but also walked upright on two legs.

Another important hominid from the Pliocene epoch is Homo habilis, which lived in East Africa around 2.4 to 1.4 million years ago. Homo habilis was the first species in the Homo genus and is known for its tool-making abilities. This species had a larger brain size than Australopithecus afarensis and is considered to be a direct ancestor of modern humans.

Overall, the Pliocene epoch was a crucial time in the evolution of man, as it saw the emergence of early hominids with more human-like characteristics and behaviors. These hominids laid the foundation for the later evolution of the Homo genus, which eventually led to the appearance of modern humans.