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
2.3-3 million years
ago
• Taller, heavier, and
larger cranium
• Australopithecus robustus
• Australopithecus boisei – 1-2.6 million
years ago
• Not human ancestors
• Slightly larger cranium than Africans
Homo habilis – handy man
• Hominid from 1.62.5 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