Hasil keberagaman dari homo di kelompokkan menjadi kategori yang lebih luas yaitu Manusia Purba, berlawanan dengan manusia modern (Homo Sapiens), pada periode di mulai dari 500.000 tahun lalu. Kategori-kategori ini biasanya mengikuti Homo heidelbergensis, Homo rhodesiensi, Homo neanderlensis, dan mungkin juga termasuk Homo antecessor.
Modern humans are theorized to develop from early humans, which evolved from Homo erectus. Types of early humans are grouped under the binomile name "Homo Sapiens" because their brain size is very similar to that of modern humans. Early humans have a brain size of 1200 - 1400 cubic centimeters, which exceeds the range in modern humans. Early humans are distinguished from the anatomical modern humans from their thick skulls, eyebrow bumps and obtrusive chins. Anatomical modern humans emerged 200,000 years ago and after 70,000 years ago (see Toba's disaster theory) gradually marginalize the "ancient" type. the "non-modern" types of Homo certainly lasted up to 30,000 years ago, and probably up to 10,000 years ago. Which, if anything, grouped under the term "primordial man" is only a matter of definition and varies among authors. However, and according to recent genetic research, modern humans seem to mate with "at least two groups" of early humans: Neanderthals and Denisovans.
