The timeline of when early humans lived in forests is complex and spans millions of years, with different hominin species adapting to various environments, including forests, at different times. Here's a broad overview:

• Early Hominins (4-7 million years ago):
  • Some of the earliest hominins, such as Sahelanthropus tchadensis and Ardipithecus ramidus , lived in wooded environments. Ardipithecus , in particular, shows adaptations to both arboreal (tree-dwelling) and terrestrial (ground-dwelling) life.
    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Ardipithecus ramidus
• Australopithecines (4-2 million years ago):
  • Species like Australopithecus afarensis (e.g., "Lucy") also inhabited mixed woodland and grassland environments. Their anatomy suggests they were capable of climbing trees, indicating a continued reliance on forest resources.
    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Australopithecus afarensis
• Early Homo (2 million years ago and later):
  • As the genus Homo emerged, including species like Homo habilis and Homo erectus , there was a gradual shift towards more open environments. However, forests and woodlands remained important habitats, providing resources for food, shelter, and raw materials.
    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Homo habilis
    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Homo erectus
• Modern Humans ( Homo sapiens ):
  • Homo sapiens , like our ancestors, have lived in and utilized forest environments throughout their history, adapting to various forested regions around the world.

In summary, early humans and their ancestors have lived in forests and wooded environments for millions of years, starting with the earliest hominins and continuing through the evolution of Australopithecus and early Homo species. The degree of forest dependence varied among species and over time, influenced by factors such as climate change and the development of new technologies.