Early hominins are the ancestors of modern humans, belonging to the family Hominidae. They lived in Africa between 6 and 2 million years ago and are characterized by their ability to walk upright on two legs, a trait known as bipedalism. This adaptation allowed them to travel longer distances and use their hands for tool-making and other tasks. Some well-known early hominins include Australopithecus and Homo habilis. These species exhibited a mix of ape-like and human-like features, such as smaller canine teeth and larger brain sizes over time. Their evolution marks a significant step in the development of human traits and behaviors.