Post on 04-Jan-2016
transcript
Human Evolution
Biology
Mr. Young
Paleoanthropologist
• Scientist that studies human evolution from fossils
Hominids
• A group referring to humans and their early ancestors
• Classified on the ability to walk on 2 legs - bipedal
Similar characteristics of humans & other closely related organisms
• Front facing eyes for 3-D vision
Similar characteristics of humans & other closely related organisms
• Opposable thumb or big toe in other primates
Similar characteristics of humans & other closely related organisms
• Dental formula – or number and arrangement of teeth
Similar characteristics of humans & other closely related organisms
• Large cranial capacities relative to body size and complex brain structure
Similar characteristics of humans & other closely related organisms
• DNA that indicates a common ancestry between humans and chimpanzees less than 6 million years ago
• (recent history)
Characteristics of Humans
• Bipedalism – the ability to walk primarily on two legs as a result of “S” shaped pelvis and aligned toes
• Quadrapedal – four limbs to walk
Tim White 1995
• Found remains from 4.4 million years ago (?)
• Ardipithecus ramidus
• Unsure if bipedal hominid
Meave Leakey 1995
• Found remains of hominid dating back 4.2 million years ago
• Australopithecus anamensis
• Head and neck similar to chimpanzee, bipedal
Donald Johanson 1974
• Found remains of hominid dating to 3.2 million years ago
• Australopithecus afarensis – southern ape of Afar Valley
• “LUCY”
• Bipedal, small cranium,
about 3-4 feet tall
Hominids
• Australopithecus Africans – hominid fro 2.3-3 million years ago
• Taller, heavier, and larger cranium
• Australopithecus robustus
• Australopithecus boisei – 1-2.6 million years ago
• Not human ancestors
• Slightly larger cranium than Africans
Homo habilis – handy man
• Hominid from 1.6-2.5 million years ago
• Remains found with stone tools
• Believed to eat meat, enlarged brain for speech
Homo erectus – upright human
• Hominid from 1.8 million -50,000 years ago
• Evidence of homo erectus found first in the Pacific Islands, named Turkana boy
• Later in china, Europe and Africa• Thick skull, large brow ridge, small
forehead, large protruding teeth ,large brain, tall, hunter, used fire to cook meat, lived in caves
Homo neanderthals
• Coexisted with Homo erectus & Homo sapiens
Heavy bones, thick brow ridge, protruding teeth, larger brain than modern humans, average 5 feet tall, lived in caves, stone tools, clothing
• Not human ancestors
• Killed off quickly maybe by disease
Cro-Magnons
• Early modern humans 35,000 years old
• Same sized brain, high forehead, now brow ridge, modern teeth about 6 feet tall