What were the earliest forms of human-like creatures called?

The earliest forms of human-like creatures are called **hominins**. This group includes modern humans ( *Homo sapiens*) and all our extinct bipedal ancestors and close relatives. It's important to distinguish hominins from other primates. While we share a common ancestor with apes like chimpanzees and gorillas, the hominin lineage branched off millions of years ago and developed distinct characteristics, most notably habitual bipedalism (walking upright). Within the hominin group, some of the earliest genera include *Sahelanthropus*, *Orrorin*, and *Ardipithecus*, dating back 6-7 million years.