What does Darwin's suggest were essentially the precursors to humanity?

Darwin suggested that the precursors to humanity were a series of hominid species that evolved over millions of years through the process of natural selection. He proposed that early ancestors shared common traits with modern humans, including bipedalism and the use of tools. These evolutionary adaptations allowed them to survive and thrive in changing environments, ultimately leading to the emergence of Homo sapiens. Darwin emphasized the gradual nature of this evolution, highlighting the interconnectedness of all life forms.