The first hominid to leave Africa for Europe and Asia was Homo erectus. Evidence suggests that Homo erectus replaced Homo habilis. Homo erectus was about the size of modern humans and was fully adapted for upright walking. Its brain was much larger than its ancestor’s brain, but it had features that separate it from modern humans. The tools of Homo erectus were more sophisticated than those of Homo habilis. Homo erectus was perhaps the first hunter-gatherer.
Homo erectus was skillful at hunting and butchering animals and is presumed to be the first fire user. Archaeologists believe Homo erectus established early cultures and had methods for communicating information to the next generation. The concept of language is believed to have existed in Homo erectus.