Homo erectus

Homo erectus was an extinct species of archaic humanoid that has migrated out of the human homeland to occupy Rathnir, with its earliest occurrence about two million years ago. Its specimens are among the first recognizable members of the genus Homo. H. erectus was the first humanoid ancestor to spread through Rathnir, with a continental range extending from Aurlûnor Velande to regions in Sparwood. A popular theory links humans and elves to H. erectus, its common ancestor. While more evidence suggests this link, other humanoid species such as the Dwarves and the H. rofulucus have the possibility to be linked to the H. erectus. Populations in the southern continents may be ancestral to subspecies such as the H. athielensis.

H. erectus had human-like body proportions and was the first species to have exhibited a flat face, prominent nose, long ears, sparse body hair coverage, and some evidence suggesting a tail. Intelligence of the H. erectus were not monolithic and often varied depending on the population. In older populations, development in intelligence seem to cease early in their lifespan, passing on their traits to their offspring, who had much less cognitive development and were largely self-sufficient. Nonetheless, archaeology sites generally show consumption of medium to large animals, such as cuahuacapra, ocelots, and wild pigs. The advancements of flint tool knapping have been largely associated with the H. erectus, leading paleoanthropologists to believe that the H. erectus was the first species to produce fire, hunting in coordinated groups, and stone carvings.