Editing Anthropoid

:''The protohumans are semi-sentient animals from the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]]''

[[Image:Protohumans1 CodeofHero.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"In the beginning..."]]
Millions of years ago in a valley in eastern [[Africa]], there lived tribes of '''protohuman''' primates. At the time of initial contact with [[Transformer|Transformers]], there was little obvious external difference between the protohumans and other animals sharing their environment. But since the protohumans were destined to evolve into the modern [[human]] race, which would in turn play a key role in the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], these simple creatures were targeted for destruction by the time-travelling [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]].  

==Fiction==
===''Beast Wars'' cartoon===
When first seen, the protohumans were clearly in a pre-civilization state, living as hunter-gatherers, unable to use tools, wear clothes, or defend themselves from predators, and communicating only by animalistic grunting and body language. After [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] had conclusively proven that he could use the information on the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] to shape the unfolding of future events, he decided to exterminate the protohumans and thus prevent their descendants from helping the [[Autobot]]s win the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]].  The Predacons began a heavy assault on the protohuman valley, and succeeded in injuring some of them, but their plan was foiled by [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]], who not only saved the creatures but also inspired them to use tools in self-defense and food-gathering. {{storylink|Code of Hero}}  

[[Image:Protohuman weapon CodeofHero.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Collecting all of Dinobot's accessories can be a grueling task.]]
The surviving protohumans scattered across a wide area. Since Transformer scanners have a hard time tracking organic lifeforms, this meant it would be impossible for a similar attack to be attempted again; consequently, Megatron was forced to resort to his [[Blackarachnia (BW)|final plan]] for victory. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 1)}}  

Later, Megatron created the [[Cyber raptor]]s, vicious clones of Dinobot, using experimental [[Transmetal 2]] technology. He sent them to roam the land, killing any protohumans they encountered. By that point, protohuman culture had advanced significantly: rudimentary tool use was widespread, individuals garbed themselves in animal skins, and both walking and communication had become more sophisticated.  They had not, however, advanced to the point where they could defend themselves from laser-shooting cyborg dinosaurs, so the [[Maximal]]s had to save them again. {{storylink|Cutting Edge}}

As the protohumans observed and interacted with Transformers more and more frequently, their own ability to use technology grew more sophisticated. [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] can probably take some credit for this, as he was holding regular lessons teaching the young Protohumans [[Chak]] and [[Una]] how to use simple machines such as levers, pulleys, and hinges. He also taught them the basics of combat, including how to defend themselves from Transformers, though he preferred that they be constructive and non-violent. Megatron sought to take advantage of the protohumans' ingenuity by kidnapping one and forcing her to complete the construction of an unstable [[energon]] cannon, but the young primate actually outsmarted him. {{storylink|Go with the Flow}}  

[[Image:Una Stabilisercrystal GowiththeFlow.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The long, humiliating history of Megatrons being defeated by humans begins here.]]
Eventually, protohumans developed the knowledge to create complex dwelling structures in cliff caves and freestanding houses, as well as mastery of fire, division of labor, gender roles, and mass-production of musical instruments and sturdy weapons such as spears.  With that technology and training on their side, a tribe of protohuman warriors was able to repulse the (admittedly scatterbrained) team of [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] and [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]]. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 1}}

Megatron's continuing obsession with the protohumans eventually hastened his own defeat. Believing that "no score is too small to settle," he ordered [[Dinobot II]] to unleash the full firepower of the [[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]] upon [[Leader Neanderthal|a lone protohuman]]—a command so unfair and dishonorable that it sowed the seeds of Dinobot II's eventual revolt against his master.  After the Predacons were finally defeated, [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] lived among the "fleshybots" for a time and was worshipped as a ruler or deity.  {{storylink|Nemesis Part 2}}

===''Beast Wars Metals'' comic===

When Dinobot was separated from the Maximals on [[Earth}Energoa]], he was taken in by a tribe of protohumans who nursed him back to health.  Jaguar soon arrived and began firing at the villagers to draw Dinobot out.  Dinobot defended the village but was killed by Jaguar.  Optimus Primal arrived immediately afterward and ended Jaguar's threat. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 3|Beast Wars Metals #3}}

===''Beast Machines'' cartoon===
After Waspinator angered them by flicking rocks at their heads, the protohumans revolted against him, chasing him out of their camp and catapulting him off a palm tree.  {{storylink|The Catalyst}}

==Notes==
* The [[Vok]] were aware of the existence and importance of the protohumans, since one of the relief images on the [[Golden Disk (Vok)|Alien Disk]] is a humanoid figure standing next to a tree.  Precisely what their goals were for humanity is unknown.  ''Beast Wars'' story editor [[Bob Forward]] later said that among the many unrealized ideas behind the Vok was the notion that they had put Earth's mysterious energon supplies there as a clean energy source to be used by eventual human descendants.  

* It is not possible to correlate the ''Beast Wars'' protohumans with any real prehistoric hominid.  The era in which ''Beast Wars'' is set has varied wildly throughout different media, but for any of the purported time periods the level of physical and cultural advancements among the protohumans does not match what the [[wikipedia:Human_evolution|fossil record]] actually shows.  Megatron refers to them as "early anthropoids", Cheetor calls them "advanced anthropoids", and the script calls them "[[wikipedia:Neanderthal|Neanderthals]]". At least no one called them "[[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]]".


[[Category:Beast Wars]]
[[Category:Humans]]