Its a term to describe modern man.
1.5 to
2 million years ago there was
Homo- habilis. The earliest form of man. He was the first 'great ape'
500,000 years ago lived Homo Erectus (he walked on
2 legs)
Then came the Neanderthal (about 100,000-30,000 years ago). They were very primitive and animalistic, but they lived in groups, wore clothing, used fire and made basic hunting tools
Next was cro-magnum (
40,000-10,000 years ago) There cranial features were elongated to allow for a larger brain, more evolved tools and
grinding rocks and the developers of religion.
So, really, we are all, well,
homo. (Actually, the root "
homo" means "man" and the root "sapien" means "being." So, human being.)
And now, modern man living today is called Homo Sapiens.