1. Anthropology- Human Evolution
HSP3U – Unit 1
Anthropology-
Human Evolution

2. Evolutionary Theory Charles Darwin 1809-1882
Published Origin of the Species (1859)
Galapagos Islands – observed different species of finches
Controversial !

4. Darwin’s Theory – Natural Selection
Heritability: Organisms inherit characteristics from their parents
Variation: there is a lot of variation within a species
Environmental Fitness: Those traits that allow an individual to survive to reproductive age – to pass on to offspring

5. Darwin’s Finches
An example of Variation

6. Peppered Moth UK – example of natural selection
White and Black moths (Variation)
Food source for birds
Before Industrial Rev. most moths – white - better camouflaged against white lichen (Enviromental Fitness)
Industrial Rev – coal dust turned environment black, now black moths better camouflaged. Black moths now surviving to reproduce and pass their colour to next generation (Heritability)
Now, most moths are black (natural selection)

7. Evolution – evidence Physical Anthropologists Look at:
1. Fossil, bone, stone remains (using dating techniques)
2. Microscopic analysis – pollen, scratches on bone
3. Experiments – flake stone techniques

8. Human Evolution

10. Human Evolution
hominid: is any member of the biological family Hominidae (the "great apes"), including the humans, chimps, bonobos, gorillas and orangutans

11. Hominids

12. Habitual Bipedalism
Bipedalism – to habitually walk on two legs. Humans only primate with this adaptation
What had to happen for us to stand up straight?

13. Bipedalism continued
Structural changes required for us to walk upright:
S-shaped spine
Double arched foot
Pelvis – shorter and wider
More gluteus muscles
Fewer head / neck muscles – therefore a bigger brain

14. Advantages of being bipedal
Free hands for carrying
Can walk longer distances
Can have a continuous good view of surroundings

15. Disadvantages of being bipedal
Highly dangerous birthing process
Offspring very dependent and weak because the skull must grow outside of the womb

16. Hominids and Brain Size
Humans have the largest brain for our body mass compared to other mammals

17. Hominid (human), Primate differences:
Pair Bonding AND Group Living
Humans are the only primates to have both social characteristics simultaneously
Dominance Hierarchies
Silverbacks and alpha males in a group
Grooming
Related to the hierarchies
Stress release
Social structures
Hominids / Humans
Primates

18. Hominid (human), Primate differences
No estrus cycle
Choice in when to mate
Estrus cycle (in heat)
No choice of when to mate
Who gets to mate when ties into dominance and grooming hierarchies
Reproduction
Hominids / Humans
Primates

19. Hominid (human), Primate differences
Longest infant dependency
period of all primates
Long infant dependency
compared to other mammals
Important in learning survival skills and culture
Mother – Infant relationship
Hominids / Humans
Primates

20. Hominid (human), Primate differences
Speech centre in the brain
Facial displays, call, touch
Communication
Hominids / Humans
Primates

21. Humanity and our Variations
Our bodies are essentially years old.
Now culture, not physical evolution enables us to adapt very quickly to a changing environment
Race - Cultural construct – does not physically exist

22. Skin Colour - Legitimate Explanations for Human Variation
Sunlight is the best source of vitamin D (necessary for healthy bones)
Light skin absorbs vitamin D and burns more easily than darker skin Paler skin is found in areas further from the equator where there is less sunlight (environmental Fitness)
Skin colour (variation)

23. Skin Colour - Legitimate Explanations for Human Variation
Darker skin provides better protection from UV rays
Darker skin is found in areas closer to the equator where there is more and stronger sunlight (environmental Fitness)
Skin colour (variation)