Primate to Human

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Primate to Human

• From simple to complex!

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Primates

• First primates evolved about 50 mya!
• Two features of the primates
• Opposable thumbs allow for grasping
• Forward orientation of the eyes allows for
  binocular vision which permits depth perception

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Early primates

• Early primates are very similar to the prosimians
  of today!
• Most likely nocturnal night active!

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About 36 mya, primates diversified and became
diurnal.
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Early Hominids

• Primates that walk up right on 2 legs - Bipedal.
• Early hominids led to the evolution of humans.
• Hominids first appeared about 5-7 mya.

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Australopithecines

• The earliest hominids are known as
  Australopithecines.
• Most famous fossil remains of this genus is LUCY!

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Lucy vs. the Apes

• Lucys brain had a slightly greater volume
• Lucy had a S- shaped spine.
• Lucys arms are shorter than legs.
• Lucys bowl shaped pelvis upright walking
• Lucys femurs angled inward carry body weight.

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Approximately 3 mya Australopithecines began to
diverge!
Went extinct
Became Humans
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Genus Homo

• First appeared 2 mya!
• Discovered near Australopithecine fossil site

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Homo habilis

• Tools have been found scattered amongst the
  fossils of this early man.
• Homo man habilis handy
• They stood about 4 ft tall.
• Survived for about 500,000 years before going
  extinct.

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Homo erectus

• Larger than H. habilis about 5 ft tall.
• Had a large brain.
• Tended to live in groups of 20-50 members.

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Homo erectus

• Hunted large animals.
• Used fire.
• Made both stone and bone tools.
• Went extinct 200,000 years ago.

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Homo sapien

• Homo man sapien wise
• Fossils of this species first appeared in Europe
  about 130,000 years ago
• These early H. sapiens were known as Neanderthals.

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Neanderthals

• Slightly larger brain than modern humans.
• Skulls were massive.
• Cared for their sick.
• Buried their dead ? left artifacts with the dead

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Why is burying the dead significant for the study
of human evolution?
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Modern Homo sapiens

• H. sapiens appeared about 34,000 years ago.
• Typically they were hunters and gatherers.
• Complex patterns of social organization.

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Modern H. sapiens

• Developed the ability to use tools effectively.
• Use written language that permits concepts to be
  passed from generation to generation.

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Modern H. sapiens

• Developed abstract thinking.
• Development of culture gave way to be able to
  change our environment to suit our needs!