Number of Human Species Throughout History
Humans have a complex evolutionary history with at least 16 recognized species within the genus Homo, and possibly up to 30 if including all hominins since our divergence from chimpanzees around 6.5 million years ago. The first species of Homo is generally considered to be Homo habilis, which appeared about 2.3 million years ago, but earlier hominins like Sahelanthropus and Ardipithecus may also be considered early ancestors depending on the definitions used.