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Evolution of Human

Over thousands of years, humans have evolved from early hominids like Australopithecus afarensis and Homo habilis to modern Homo sapiens. Key developments included walking upright, increasing brain size, using tools, controlling fire, and modern human proportions with Homo erectus. Neanderthals were our closest extinct relatives. Homo sapiens began controlling plant and animal growth through farming and herding around 12,000 years ago, transforming the natural landscape.

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17 views18 pages

Evolution of Human

Over thousands of years, humans have evolved from early hominids like Australopithecus afarensis and Homo habilis to modern Homo sapiens. Key developments included walking upright, increasing brain size, using tools, controlling fire, and modern human proportions with Homo erectus. Neanderthals were our closest extinct relatives. Homo sapiens began controlling plant and animal growth through farming and herding around 12,000 years ago, transforming the natural landscape.

Uploaded by

quinzin2006
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Evolution of the

Human Race
Christian Jake U. Rabago
Introduction
The evolution of the human race is a captivating narrative progress. Over the course of
thousands of years, our species, Homo sapiens, has evolved from humble beginnings to
become the intricate beings navigating the complexities of the modern world. We will learn
about how our species came about and how we evolved to adapt.
The Evolution Theory by Charles Darwin
The evolution theory in simple terms states that all life starts out simple and
evolves into complex ones.
How do we evolve?
We evolve in the process called Natural Selection.
Natural selection explains how species evolve and adapt to their environment.
1. Variation – Every species is made up of a variety of individuals with some better
adapted to their environments compared to others.
2. Inheritance – Organisms produce offspring with different sets of traits that can be
inherited.
3. Survival of the Fittest – Organisms that have traits most suitable to their environment
will survive and these variations are passed on to their offspring in subsequent
generations.
Australopithecines
Australopithecus Afarensis
(3.85-2.95 mya)

• One of the first hominids to walk upright.


• Bipedal – Uses two legs for walking
• Brain was 1/3 the size of modern humans
• Their diet consisted mainly of plants like leaves, fruits,
seeds, roots, nuts and insects... And occasionally small
vertebrates like lizards.
• Most well-known specimen is “Lucy” an almost complete
adult female
Lucy the Australopithecus Afarensis
Australopithecines
Australopithecus Africanus
(3.3-2.1 mya)

• Similar to Au. Afarensis, they had a rounder cranium


and smaller teeth.
• Their brain was larger compared to afarensis, but it is
still significantly smaller compared to Homo sapiens.
• They had long arms that indicate they spend their time
mostly walking on ground or climbing trees
• Thought to be hunters but were hunted by lions,
leopards, and hyenas.
• Most well-known specimen is the “Taung child”
Taung Child Skull
Homo
Homo Habilis
(2.4-1.4 mya)

• Earliest species within the Homo genus.


• Had blunter facial features and more pronounced
eye-brow ridges than modern humans. Moderately
prognathic face.
• Also called the “handy man”, because they display
the first use of stone tools.
• Had smaller tooth but still strong indicating that
their teeth were still adapted to chewing hard foods.
• Well known specimen is KNM-ER 1813 is the most
complete Homo habilis skull specimen found.
Homo Habilis and KN-MER 1813 skull
Homo
Homo Erectus
(1.89mya-143,000 BC)

• Prominent brow ridges, retreating forehead.


• First species with modern human-like proportions.
• Cared for their old and weak.
• Tall bodies and larger brains required a lot of energy so
eating meat that can be quickly digested made it so that
they had more energy.
• Earliest use of campfires for cooking, gathering and social
interactions.
• Most famous specimen is Turkana boy and Peking Man
Turkana Boy and Peking Man
Homo
Homo Neandearthalensis
(400-40,000 BC)

• They are our closest extinct human relative.


• Large middle part of the face, angled cheek bones,
and a huge nose for humidifying and warming
cold, dry air.
• First human species to bury the dead.
• Used a diverse set of sophisticated tools,
controlled fire, lived in shelters, made and wore
clothing, were skilled hunters of large animals.
Homo
Homo Sapiens
(250,000 BC – Present)

• The species that we all belong to is called “Homo sapiens”


• Hunted and gathered food and adapted to unstable environments.
• Prehistoric Homo sapiens used stone tools and used them to make composite stone
tools, fish hooks, harpoons, bows and arrows, spear throwers and sewing needles.
• By 164,000 modern humans were collecting shellfish, by 90,000 humans begun
making special fishing tools, then within 12,000 made the transition to hunters
into producers.
• Humans found they could control the growth and breeding of certain plants and
animals. This led to farming and herding, activities that transformed Earth’s
natural landscapes.
Homo Sapiens

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