Modern Humans

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Agenda Primate Characteristics Evolution Revisited – “The Great Debate” Micro vs. Macro Evolution Human Evolution Neandertal vs. Cro-Magnum Myth or Reality Big Foot Trolls Origin of Modern Humans

Primate Characteristics

Primates Primate evolution began with the Prosimians, small shrewlike animals, in late Cretaceous Primates – 2 Divisions Suborder Prosimii Suborder Anthropoidea

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Primate Characteristics Arboreal Life (live in trees) Mobile Forelimbs and Hindlimbs Opposable Thumb Binocular Vision Large Complex Brain Reduced Reproductive Rate

Human Evolution

Human Evolution Chronology Paleocene/Eocene: Arboreal Prosimians dominant. Oligocene: Appearance of monkeys and apes Miocene: Two ancestral primates evolved as a result of the collision of Africa and Eurasia (Dryomorphs and Ramamorphs). The Ramamorphs (Australopithecines) were the probable ancestors of both apes and humans. Early Pleistocene: Homo erectus began to populate Africa, Asia, and Europe. These erect-walking hominins had larger brains than the Australopithecines and improved tool-making abilities. Late Pleistocene: Appearance of Neandertal , which were replaced by Cro-Magnon ( modern Homo sapiens).

Human Evolution Ramamorphs (Miocene) Australopithecines (Pliocene) – “Lucy” Homo erectus (Middle Pliestocene) Coexisted Neandertal, Cro-Magnon, Homo floresiensis (Late Pliestocene) Homo sapiens – Cro-Magnon (Present)

Human Evolutionary Advancement Bipedalism Walking on 2 feet: Precision Grip – Opposable thumb Encephalization – Growth of the Brain: Temporal Lobes (Language) & Prefrontal Cortex (Social Behavior/Decision Making) Complex Social Behavior Burying dead/Caring for young Tool making/Hunting

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Human Evolution Cro-Magnon

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Genus Homo Higher cranial vault and large cranial capacity Spinal cord physiology indicates more erect posture Narrower premolars Shorter row of cheek teeth Crude tools

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Human’s Distinct Features Larger, more complex brain Stand and walk erect Flatter Face Teeth are less robust Capable of manual dexterity

Neandertal vs. Cro-Magnum

Neandertal vs. Cro-Magnum Neandertal Cro-Magnum

Neandertal

Neandertals 1. Neandertals were named for Neander Valley in Germany where skeletons were dated as early as 200,000 years ago. 2. Neandertal anatomy includes: massive protruding brow, nose, jaws, and teeth; low sloping forehead; lower jaw sloping back without a chin; longer pubic bone; shorter and thicker limb bones; and heavier muscles in the shoulder and neck. Slightly larger brain than that of modern humans. It is speculated that a larger brain than that of modern humans was required to control the extra musculature. The sturdy build of Neandertals was likely an adaptation to cold climate; they lived in Eurasia during the last Ice Age.

Neandertals The Neandertals give evidence of being culturally advanced. Most lived in caves, but those who lived in the open may have built houses. They manufactured a variety of stone tools, including spear points, scrapers, and knives. They used and could control fire, which probably helped in cooking frozen meat and in keeping warm. They buried their dead with flowers and tools and may have had a religion. Estimated that all modern humans contain 2.5 % Neandertal DNA.

Cro-Magnum

Cro-Magnum Cro-Magnons are the olderst fossils to be designated H. sapiens; they were found in Eurasia 100,000 years ago. Cro-Magnons are named for a fossil location in France and had a thoroughly modern appearance. They had advanced stone tools and may have been the first to throw spears. Cro-Magnons hunted cooperatively, and perhaps were the first to have had a language. They may have been responsible for the extinction of large mammals during the late Pleistocene. Cro-Magnon culture included figurines carved out of bone and antler, and cave paintings.

Myth or Reality

Big Foot

Origin of Modern Humans

Origin of Modern Humans Two contradicting hypotheses are suggested about the origin of modern humans Multiregional Continuity Hypothesis Out-of-Africa Hypothesis

Origin of Modern Humans Multiregional Continuity Hypothesis Proposes that modern humans originated separately in Asia, Europe, and Africa. Distinctive continuity in anatomy and genetic variation is expected in each location. Evolution of modern humans would be similar in several different places.

Origin of Modern Humans Out-of-Africa Hypothesis Modern humans originated only in Africa after migrating into Europe and Asia, replaced the Homo species found there; current evidence leans toward this hypothesis. humans are descended from a few individuals from about 100,000 years ago. Mitochondrial DNA analyses indicate a close genetic relationship among all Europeans; although the first analysis was flawed, the data tend to support the out-of-Africa hypothesis.

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