Hominid Evolution © Copyright 2015-all rights reserved www.cpalms.org

© Copyright 2015-all rights reserved Hominids Which includes humans, are thought to have diverged from gorillas and chimpanzees about 4-6 mya Most basic adaptation that distinguished hominids was bipedalism-or walking upright © Copyright 2015-all rights reserved www.cpalms.org

© Copyright 2015-all rights reserved Slide 3 Australopithecus africanus- first true bi-pedalism, found in Africa between 4.2-1 million years ago about the size of a chimpanzee, small brain most complete skeleton is nicknamed Lucy http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/homs/lucy.html © Copyright 2015-all rights reserved www.cpalms.org

Important Stages of Hominid Evolution Homo habilis- “handy man” first true human. Seen 2.3 mya Stone tools scattered around hominid fossils indicate this species could manufacture tools http://earlyman.yolasite.com/homo-habilis.php © Copyright 2015-all rights reserved www.cpalms.org

Important Stages of Hominid Evolution Homo erectus-replaced Homo habilis about 1.8 mya About 1.5 meters in height, rounded jaw (like modern humans)-but with very large molars Thick skeleton implies greater strength than modern humans Seems to have used fire and more sophisticated tools Survived longer than any other species of human (more than 1 million years) http://www.glogster.com/47076/homo-erectus-by-michael-pozzuolo/g-6m131c91iep3etk1r73tpa0 © Copyright 2015-all rights reserved www.cpalms.org

Important Stages of Hominid Evolution Early Homo sapiens- first appeared 500,000 years ago Branches from ancestral line of Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons Neanderthal-our cousin rather than ancestor Short; powerfully built; protruding jaw and receding forehead Made tools such as spearheads and scrapers, and buried them with bodies of the dead Probably came to Europe from Africa about 150,000 years ago http://imgbuddy.com/homo-sapiens-vs-neanderthalensis.asp © Copyright 2015-all rights reserved www.cpalms.org

Important Stages of Hominid Evolution Early Homo sapiens cont. Cro-Magnons-earliest remains have been dated to 43,000 years ago Heavy and solid builds, sloping forehead, brow ridge protruded only slightly Jaw bones gave more prominent chins Social organizations and the ability to speak Tools with decorations, cave paintings Often said to be our “true ancestors” -sometimes designated as European Early Modern Humans http://realhistoryww.com/world_history/ancient/cro_magnon_Homo_sapien.htm © Copyright 2015-all rights reserved www.cpalms.org

Important Stages of Hominid Evolution Modern Homo sapiens – “meaning wise man” Only surviving hominid species Long trend toward less robust skeletons, smaller molars, smaller brow ridges Increase in brain size has enabled Homo sapiens to distinguish themselves from other species Ability to use and make complex tools Employ symbolic language to transmit ideas Thinking conceptually http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leonardo_da_Vinci-_Vitruvian_Man.JPG © Copyright 2015-all rights reserved www.cpalms.org

Brain Increase Over Time http://imgkid.com/evolution-of-human-brain-size.shtml © Copyright 2015-all rights reserved www.cpalms.org

© Copyright 2015-all rights reserved Slide 10 Image credit: University of Utah © Copyright 2015-all rights reserved www.cpalms.org

© Copyright 2015-all rights reserved Video A dozen different kinds of awesome: http://www.youtube.com/ROwKq3kxPEA Marisa Colyer 2015 © Copyright 2015-all rights reserved www.cpalms.org