Physical Anthropology Becoming Human

Humans and Ape Similarities Language Language Opposable thumbs Opposable thumbs -Finger length (Trees,land) -Finger length (Trees,land) Social organization Social organization Use tools Use tools 98.4% of DNA is identical 98.4% of DNA is identical

Humans and Ape Differences Teeth Teeth Humans have: Humans have: –Larger brain and more developed frontal lobe –More complex speech –Longer child-rearing time –More complex social groupings –More complex tools & technology

The Homonid Family Tree We already know We already know –Australopithecus Australopithecus –Homo Habilis –Homo Erectus –Home Sapiens

Who is this Neanderthal? A very late homonid A very late homonid Lived around the same time as modern humans, and even shared territory Lived around the same time as modern humans, and even shared territory Possibly interbred with humans Possibly interbred with humans

Neanderthals Homo Sapiens Neanderthalis Homo Sapiens Neanderthalis Shorter than humans (5 - 5 ½ ‘ tall) Shorter than humans (5 - 5 ½ ‘ tall) Similar brain size Similar brain size Much stronger with thicker bones Much stronger with thicker bones Disappeared about 39,000 years ago Disappeared about 39,000 years ago

Similarities Both made tools Both made tools Both made clothing Both made clothing Both conducted religious ceremonies Both conducted religious ceremonies -Burying dead, mummification -Burying dead, mummification Both lived in communities and had an organized social life Both lived in communities and had an organized social life

Who was really superior? Neanderthals were more powerful, with heavy bones and large muscles Neanderthals were more powerful, with heavy bones and large muscles They had thick skulls and muzzle-like jaws that could serve as an additional weapon or tool They had thick skulls and muzzle-like jaws that could serve as an additional weapon or tool Larger nose with many more scent receptors, giving the Neanderthal a sense of smell superior to that of modern man Larger nose with many more scent receptors, giving the Neanderthal a sense of smell superior to that of modern man

Who was really superior? Humans have smaller heads Humans have smaller heads –did not require thick neck muscles for support  allow space for the development of vocal cords and other structures to make precise sounds –more flexible lips and face muscles  allow for increased communication ability through a greater variety of facial expressions and more complex language

Why did the Neanderthals go extinct? Out-competed (and killed off) by humans? Out-competed (and killed off) by humans? Absorbed into human species by interbreeding? Absorbed into human species by interbreeding? Climate change? Climate change? -Remains dated to no younger than 39,000 years old. -Remains dated to no younger than 39,000 years old.

Another theory…

The Ice age As climate shifted and large game started disappearing, humans became less nomadic and made more permanent settlements As climate shifted and large game started disappearing, humans became less nomadic and made more permanent settlements “Leftovers” (animal carcasses) would start to accumulate “Leftovers” (animal carcasses) would start to accumulate

The start of a beautiful friendship Wolves start to hang around to scavenge off humans’ garbage Wolves start to hang around to scavenge off humans’ garbage They eventually become part of the community They eventually become part of the community Better sense of smell, better hearing Better sense of smell, better hearing –Alarm system –Hunting Companions Win-win situation for dogs and humans Win-win situation for dogs and humans

More benefits Use of dogs allows for new hunting techniques Use of dogs allows for new hunting techniques –Projectiles (arrows) allow for hunting from a safe distance –Dogs can help track wounded animals

A possible answer Humans would have been healthier because of more effective hunting with dogs Humans would have been healthier because of more effective hunting with dogs –Better fed, less susceptible to disease, settlements support larger populations Having lost the large game on which they depended, Neanderthals might have been driven to raid human communities Having lost the large game on which they depended, Neanderthals might have been driven to raid human communities –their attacks would not have been successful because the human communities' dogs would provide early warning of attacks, which would enable them to rally an effective defense

A possible answer After a few such raids, humans would have come to view Neanderthals as mortal enemies After a few such raids, humans would have come to view Neanderthals as mortal enemies With the human's improved communication abilities, they could have coordinated larger groups to counter-attack their neighbors who were weakened from hunger With the human's improved communication abilities, they could have coordinated larger groups to counter-attack their neighbors who were weakened from hunger The absence of dogs around Neanderthal camps would give humans the element of surprise The absence of dogs around Neanderthal camps would give humans the element of surprise Such a pattern over time could have easily led to the extinction of Neanderthals Such a pattern over time could have easily led to the extinction of Neanderthals

Despite the strong evidence, evolution still relies on many assumptions Despite the strong evidence, evolution still relies on many assumptions