1. Hominid Evolution
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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
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Slide 3
Australopithecus africanus- first true bi-pedalism,
found in Africa between million years ago
about the size of a chimpanzee, small brain
most complete skeleton is nicknamed Lucy
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4. 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
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5. 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)
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6. 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
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7. 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
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8. 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
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9. Brain Increase Over Time
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Slide 10
Image credit: University of Utah
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Video
A dozen different kinds of awesome:
Marisa Colyer 2015
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