Human Evolution Biology Mr. Young
Paleoanthropologist Scientist that studies human evolution from fossils
Hominids A group referring to humans and their early ancestors Classified on the ability to walk on 2 legs - bipedal
Similar characteristics of humans & other closely related organisms Front facing eyes for 3-D vision
Similar characteristics of humans & other closely related organisms Opposable thumb or big toe in other primates
Similar characteristics of humans & other closely related organisms Dental formula – or number and arrangement of teeth
Similar characteristics of humans & other closely related organisms Large cranial capacities relative to body size and complex brain structure
Similar characteristics of humans & other closely related organisms DNA that indicates a common ancestry between humans and chimpanzees less than 6 million years ago (recent history)
Characteristics of Humans Bipedalism – the ability to walk primarily on two legs as a result of “S” shaped pelvis and aligned toes Quadrapedal – four limbs to walk
Tim White 1995 Found remains from 4.4 million years ago (?) Ardipithecus ramidus Unsure if bipedal hominid
Meave Leakey 1995 Found remains of hominid dating back 4.2 million years ago Australopithecus anamensis Head and neck similar to chimpanzee, bipedal
Donald Johanson 1974 Found remains of hominid dating to 3.2 million years ago Australopithecus afarensis – southern ape of Afar Valley “LUCY” Bipedal, small cranium, about 3-4 feet tall
Hominids Australopithecus Africans – hominid fro million years ago Taller, heavier, and larger cranium
Australopithecus robustus Australopithecus boisei – million years ago Not human ancestors Slightly larger cranium than Africans
Homo habilis – handy man Hominid from million years ago Remains found with stone tools Believed to eat meat, enlarged brain for speech
Homo erectus – upright human Hominid from 1.8 million -50,000 years ago Evidence of homo erectus found first in the Pacific Islands, named Turkana boy Later in china, Europe and Africa Thick skull, large brow ridge, small forehead, large protruding teeth,large brain, tall, hunter, used fire to cook meat, lived in caves
Homo neanderthals Coexisted with Homo erectus & Homo sapiens Heavy bones, thick brow ridge, protruding teeth, larger brain than modern humans, average 5 feet tall, lived in caves, stone tools, clothing Not human ancestors Killed off quickly maybe by disease
Cro-Magnons Early modern humans 35,000 years old Same sized brain, high forehead, now brow ridge, modern teeth about 6 feet tall