This has been most extensively discussed in relation to the Neanderthals, who existed in considerable numbers in Europe at the same time as modern humans existed in Africa and Asia. read more
So the species that we were before homo sapiens didn't become extinct - its us. We are that species. If you understand that, but you mean the species that were our cousins and similar to us. Unfortunately extinction is the norm, and for most animals and most of human history premature death is the normal - and survival the exception. read more
Homo erectus is an extinct species of early human that lived throughout the Pleistocene from about 1.9 million years to most recently, 143,000 years ago. The study of the fossil, discovered by scientists proved that Homo erectus originated in Africa and spread through India, China, Georgia, and Java. read more
Hundreds of bones discovered in a South African cave are now believed to belong to a new species, known as Homo naledi. There may well be many more extinct hominin species waiting to be uncovered. Our own species appeared around 200,000 years ago, at a time when several others existed. read more