Human evolution refers to the evolutionary process that led to the emergence of modern humans, Homo sapiens, from ancestral primates. This process spans millions of years and includes various stages of development, adaptation, and genetic changes. It is believed that early humans shared a common ancestor with modern African apes, such as chimpanzees and gorillas, around 5 to 10 million years ago. Over time, different hominid species evolved, leading to the development of anatomically modern humans approximately 300,000 years ago. Throughout this evolutionary journey, humans developed unique traits, such as larger brain size, bipedalism (walking on two legs), and sophisticated tool use, which contributed to their survival and dominance as a species.