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Hominid evolution is defined as a long process that involved the amalgamation of specific adaptions from a multitude of apelike ancestors that led to the formation of Homo sapiens. Scientific evidence suggests that all the physical and behavioral traits that are commonly shared by modern humans originated from apelike ancestors. Humans first began to evolve in Africa approximately 7 million years ago and much of human evolution occurred on this continent before our ancestors began to gradually migrate across the planet.
Hominid evolution began with the existence of Sahelanthropus tchadensis, the last common ancestor in human lineage. Living between 6 and 7 seven million years ago, this species consisted of various ape-like and human-like characteristics, suggesting a clear link between both species and making it the last common ancestor humans share with apes in our lineage. However, the strongest evidence of the beginning of this divergence comes from the foramen magnum, the opening in the cranium where the spinal cord exits. Most primates during this period of time were arboreal, meaning they foraged and lived in trees, thus the location of their foramen magnum would be at the back of their skull to support quadrupedal activity. In contrast, the location of the opening in Sahelanthropus tchadensis is underneath the skull, suggesting it maintained an upright posture. This can be associated with bipedalism, an adaption that allowed animals to travel on only two legs and also was one of the earliest defining human traits. It was not until approximately 4.4 million years ago with the emergence of Ardipithecus ramidus that this trait began to become more clearly observable in early human species. The pelvis of their remains suggests the species could have adapted to suit both arboreal and bipedal activity. The skeletal remains also reflect more human features that would not be considered apelike such as smaller canines.
Around 4 million years ago a highly successful genus, Australopithecus, was formed which lasted almost 3 million years. The best known subspecies, afarensis and africanus, feature both developed legs and pelvises that suggest evidence of adapted bipedalism. Other supporting evidence for this theory include the parallel alignment of their first toe with other toes and an apparent foot arch that enabled easier upright travel. Their brain size had developed greatly when compared to the previous genus. However, while it is almost identical to the capacity of modern apes, it highlights the gradual increase in brain growth in early humans. Members of this genus also had smaller canines similar to ramidus and tchadensis but in addition had adapted larger molars, allowing them to consume coarse plant foods resulting in a more varied diet. Australopithecus eventually led to the evolution of the subgroup Paranthropus, early humans that adapted large powerful jaws and molars for the heavy chewing of vegetation. They were also one of the first early ancestors to exhibit evidence of tool use with excavated bones being linked to digging up termite mounds. However, this branch of hominids is not an ancestor of modern humans and its species never further developed or left any obvious descendants.
Hominid evolution began with the existence of Sahelanthropus tchadensis, the last common ancestor in human lineage. Living between 6 and 7 seven million years ago, this species consisted of various ape-like and human-like characteristics, suggesting a clear link between both species and making it the last common ancestor humans share with apes in our lineage. However, the strongest evidence of the beginning of this divergence comes from the foramen magnum, the opening in the cranium where the spinal cord exits. Most primates during this period of time were arboreal, meaning they foraged and lived in trees, thus the location of their foramen magnum would be at the back of their skull to support quadrupedal activity. In contrast, the location of the opening in Sahelanthropus tchadensis is underneath the skull, suggesting it maintained an upright posture. This can be associated with bipedalism, an adaption that allowed animals to travel on only two legs and also was one of the earliest defining human traits. It was not until approximately 4.4 million years ago with the emergence of Ardipithecus ramidus that this trait began to become more clearly observable in early human species. The pelvis of their remains suggests the species could have adapted to suit both arboreal and bipedal activity. The skeletal remains also reflect more human features that would not be considered apelike such as smaller canines.
Around 4 million years ago a highly successful genus, Australopithecus, was formed which lasted almost 3 million years. The best known subspecies, afarensis and africanus, feature both developed legs and pelvises that suggest evidence of adapted bipedalism. Other supporting evidence for this theory include the parallel alignment of their first toe with other toes and an apparent foot arch that enabled easier upright travel. Their brain size had developed greatly when compared to the previous genus. However, while it is almost identical to the capacity of modern apes, it highlights the gradual increase in brain growth in early humans. Members of this genus also had smaller canines similar to ramidus and tchadensis but in addition had adapted larger molars, allowing them to consume coarse plant foods resulting in a more varied diet. Australopithecus eventually led to the evolution of the subgroup Paranthropus, early humans that adapted large powerful jaws and molars for the heavy chewing of vegetation. They were also one of the first early ancestors to exhibit evidence of tool use with excavated bones being linked to digging up termite mounds. However, this branch of hominids is not an ancestor of modern humans and its species never further developed or left any obvious descendants.
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It was around 2 million years ago that archaic humans began to migrate out of Africa into uninhabited lands. Early humans first arrived in Asia 2 million years ago and then migrated to Europe 500,000 years later. The Homo genus first emerged over 2 million years ago with the emergence of Homo habilis, nicknamed the "handy man" for its documented use of stone tools. While this species still had primitive biological features, it exhibited a much larger brain size than those before it, with the brain shape also becoming more human-like compared to predecessors. Succeeding Homo habilis was Homo erectus who displayed more human-like body proportions. The elongated legs and shortened arms found on remains determines that this species lived a full bipedal life and showed no evidence of arboreal activity, outlining the reason it was systematically named "erectus" due to its upright posture. It was this adaption that enabled the species to migrate long distances where their larger brains gave them the cognitive abilities to adapt and prosper in the differing environments they encountered. Distinct populations of Homo erectus have also been discovered to have slight variations to their teeth, with Eurasian remains sporting smaller molars than African remains, highlighting how different diets and environments contributed to the adaptions of these separated populations. While Homo erectus is documented as the first human ancestor to discover fire, Homo heidelbergensis became well equipped at utilising it to benefit their survival. Emerging 700,000 years ago, this early human showcased unique adaptions that well suited the cold climate they once inhabited. Their short wide stature aided in heat conversation and they became the first early humans to build viable shelters to protect themselves from the elements. Brain growth increased rapidly during this period of time as well, most likely due to a change in diet that provided early humans with larger amounts of protein. Heidelbergensis were big game hunters and the huge portions of meat they would have consumed rapidly developed their cognitive processes, enabling early humans the capacity to interact with each other in more complex ways. It is theorized that this species was the predecessor to modern humans: the Homo sapien.
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First appearing 200,000 years ago in Africa, prehistoric Homo sapiens proved to be complex and refined in their ability to produce specialized tools. However, another species of hominid, Homo neanderthalensis who is believed to also have evolved from Homo heidelbergensis, emerged before our species around 400,000 years ago. This close relative shares many similarities with modern humans, however, many of their features were more dominant than our own. Their average brain size exceeded ours by at least 100 cc which was proportional to their much brawnier bodies. Despite these advantageous adaptions, they went extinct 40,000 years ago and left no descendants. One possible theory could be accredited to Neanderthalensis being out-competed by Homo sapiens. Our cognitive capacity allowed for the rapid spread of new technologies as well as the sharing of information relevant to the survival of the species and vast migration led to a large increase in population until we eventually outnumbered our stocky relatives ten to one. Analysis of the mitochondrial DNA from Homo neanderthalnensis and Homo sapiens suggests interbreeding may have occurred between species, which may have contributed to the neanderthalensis' slow decrease in numbers. Homo sapiens were unique as being the first and only hominin to craft fine artwork and statuettes. They were also the only known hominid to communicate via coherent speech.
There are three major types of evolution that have contributed to the development of human society over millions of years. The first, biological, is defined as how hominin have gradually adapted to their environment overtime. The most significant adaptions include the enlarged brain, upright posture, binocular colour vision, opposable thumbs, and speech. Our unique combination of biological characteristics are the basis for the evolution of culture: how humans altered their behaviour to suit their environment. These changes may occur at a faster rate than biological evolution, however, the force of tradition has greatly assisted in slowing the changing of cultural norms. Some examples include language, fine artwork, music, and burials. These changes also coincide with biological evolution in terms of intelligence. Technological evolution is the final observable major form of development in human society. It involves how hominin have shaped their environment to suit their needs. It occurs at the fastest rate due to its inability to affect most cultural norms. There are simple perceived technological changes that include the mastery of fire or stone tool making while more complex ones have occurred such as the manufacture of clothing, shelter, and concept of agriculture. It was these three major forms of evolution in human society that strongly assisted in the continued survival of modern humans.
There are three major types of evolution that have contributed to the development of human society over millions of years. The first, biological, is defined as how hominin have gradually adapted to their environment overtime. The most significant adaptions include the enlarged brain, upright posture, binocular colour vision, opposable thumbs, and speech. Our unique combination of biological characteristics are the basis for the evolution of culture: how humans altered their behaviour to suit their environment. These changes may occur at a faster rate than biological evolution, however, the force of tradition has greatly assisted in slowing the changing of cultural norms. Some examples include language, fine artwork, music, and burials. These changes also coincide with biological evolution in terms of intelligence. Technological evolution is the final observable major form of development in human society. It involves how hominin have shaped their environment to suit their needs. It occurs at the fastest rate due to its inability to affect most cultural norms. There are simple perceived technological changes that include the mastery of fire or stone tool making while more complex ones have occurred such as the manufacture of clothing, shelter, and concept of agriculture. It was these three major forms of evolution in human society that strongly assisted in the continued survival of modern humans.