evolution
...lis 2.2 to 1.6 million years ago Homo erectus 2.0 to 0.4 million years ago Homo sapiens archaic 400 to 200 thousand years ago Homo sapiens neandertalensis 200 to 30 thousand years ago Homo sapiens sapiens 200 thousand years ago to present. Due to cultural and evolutionary factors, A. afarensis evolved into Australopithecus africanus. Morphologically, A. afarensis was largely human-like in its upper/lower limb mass distribution and limb proportions in larger individuals (presumably males), and intermediate between apes and humans in these features in small individuals (presumably females) (Berger). However, A. africanus had a slightly larger brain than afarensis. It had a brain capacity of about 500cc compared to 450cc. The increase of the brain size provided social interaction for these species. From the table above, we can see that the next species to evolve is the Autralopithecus robustus. The fossil was found by Fourie at Swartkrans in South Africa. This species dates around 2.2 million years ago. Its body was like A. africanus, except its skull and teeth, jaws, jaw muscles with bony crests, were larger and stronger. These features were to its advantage to chew hard nuts. However, about 1.5 million years ago, Australopithecus robustus became extinct. Homo habilis was found by Kamoya Kimeu and it lived between 1.9 and 1.6 million years ago. Habilis weighed about 100 pounds with a height of about 5’tall. Scientists called the habilis “handy man” because it was the first stone users. It had a brain capacity of 500-800cc. Also researchers believe that H.habilis showed evidence of speech. About 2 million years ago, Homo erectus replaced Homo habilis. H. erectus was also known as Homo ergaster and it was found in Kenya by Kamoya Kimeu. This species was considered as being a mighty warrior, skilled hunter and inventor. It had a brain size of about 750 to 800 which later grew to about 1250cc, closely related to the modern man. Moreover, erectus made more sophisticated new tools and weapons. Scientists believe that it was the first hominid to travel out of Africa. This species move from place to place in search of food. They were considered omnivorous because they ate both meat and plants. Because of the style of life, the molars and brow ridges were smaller compared to A. robustus and other ancient hominid. As time goes by a more intelligent species began to form its way through. These species were called the Homo sapiens. It look almost similar to the homo erectus with the thick bones, large face, with ridges well developed. but still different to the erectus. They are more intelligent and its brain volume is larger than Homo erectus. The vault is higher with inflated frontal and more evenly curved occipital regions and the highest part of the vault is around the temporo-parietal suture. The nuchal area is still extensive, but its ridge is less clearly defined. Saggital keeling, although still present, is less than in H. erectus. It has a more intense and interactive developed mind-frame. Neanderthal bones found in France 1908. Their brain size is higher than the Homo sapiens. This means they think more and are more intelligent than the Homo sapiens. Their bones are very heavy and thick. Their head are long and lower forehead than the humans that exist nowadays. Also, they have large nose and are about 5’6” tall. They made basic clothes and constructed tools in which they used for hunting. Homo sapiens sapiens are true modern humans. Their skull is smaller and more compact and the face is much less elongated than the Neanderthal; the modern human skull has a higher forehead, less prominent brow-ridges and smaller teeth. Modern humans are typically much less robust in body form and skeleton than Neanderthals. They are more intelligent than others. They have the ability to think and create things. Works Cited • Scott Freeman and Jon C. Herron. “Evolutionary Analysis.” 2000-2001 by prentice-hall,inc. • www.ecotao.com/holism/hu_neand.htm • www.onelife.com/evolve/manev.html Hominid is a primate of the family Hominidae, of which Homo sapiens is the only extant species. The oldes...