Human Evolution

  • Taxonomy & Characteristics

  • History

    • Hominid (Anthropoid) Genera
    • 5 Key Traits


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Phylogeny (Taxonomy+Time)

Hominidae Traits Dimorphic

Key adaptations (arboreal):

      1. grasping hands
      2. color binocular vision
      3. large brain

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5. Culture

    TOOLS first stone ca. 2.5 Ma
  • Homo habilis 500-800 cc, 2.0 Ma
  • Homo rudolphensis 750 cc, 2.5 Ma
  • Homo ergaster 850 cc, 2.0 Ma
  • FIRE? first used 1 - 2 Ma

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Key events in evolution of Homo







 

Who are the Humans?

  • Dead end for Homo erectus ?
  • Homo sapiens
    1. Evolves in Africa 60-140,000 years ago‡
      "Out of Africa"
    2. blend of Homo erectus regional stocks
      "Multiregionalism"
    ‡ McDougall, I., Brown, F.H., and Fleagle, J.G. 2005. Stratigraphic placement and age of modern humans from Kibish, Ethopia. Nature 43: 733-736.

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Who were the Neanderthals?

    Traits
      230-30 Ka, brain 1350 - 1500 cc
      overlaped with H. erectus and H. sapiens
  • First Evidence of Religion (Life after death)
    Are they

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