The early evolution and spread of humans around the planet were shaped by their environments. Over time, the effects of human activities have become visible everywhere. Evidence of human interactions with these environments is seen in the record of changes in animal and plant fossils, the chemistry of rocks, and the objects our ancient relatives left behind.
In this gallery, you can learn about huge animals that interacted with early humans, track the evolution of our species through replicas of fossilized remains, and understand how humans continue to affect the environment today.