Fill-in-the-blank Notes Human Evolution Fill-in-the-blank Notes
Common Misconception Humans did not come from present-day chimps, gorillas, or monkeys. Instead, all primates from lemurs to orangutans to human beings evolved from a common ancestor. Just like all other animal groups, each species of primate evolved differently, depending on their environment and mutated adaptations.
The First Primate The first primate-like mammal evolved around 55 million to 60 million years ago (after the extinction of the dinosaurs). It was small (about the size of a squirrel), arboreal (lived in trees), had hands and feet adapted for climbing, and had good eyesight.
The First Primate – Where did they go? Fossils of this first primate and its close relatives have been found in Asia, Africa, and North America, indicating that this species migrated and became geographically isolated. As the species spread out and adapted to its new environment, new mutations and variations occurred until there were many primate species.
The First Humans Humans did not start out looking the way we do today. Early humans had smaller brains, and stronger and larger jaws. They were also covered in hair. But, they were bipedal (walked on two legs) and had longer limbs than other primates.
The First Humans Over time, our brains became slightly larger and our jaws became slightly smaller. We developed tools to help us hunt, making the larger jaw not as necessary.
The First Humans Our brains kept increasing in size as smarter humans were more likely to problem-solve and survive. We developed language and culture. These early humans are beginning to look and act more like us today! This was our most recent relative – the Neanderthal. They lived as close as 30,000 years ago.
Modern Human Chimpanzees and bonobos may be our closest living relative, but there are lots of evolutionary steps that separate us. Although all early humans have gone extinct, we exist now in their place as Homo sapiens.
Fill-in-the-blank Notes Human Evolution Fill-in-the-blank Notes