Primate to Human
From simple to complex!
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
Early primates
• Early primates
are very similar to
the prosimians of
today!
• Most likely
nocturnal – night
active!
About 36
mya,
primates
diversified
and became
diurnal.
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.
Australopithecines
• The earliest hominids
are known as
Australopithecines.
• Most famous fossil
remains of this genus
is LUCY!
Lucy vs. the Apes
• Lucy’s brain had a slightly greater
volume
• Lucy had a S- shaped spine.
• Lucy’s arms are shorter than legs.
• Lucy’s bowl shaped pelvis – upright
walking
• Lucy’s femurs angled inward – carry
body weight.
Went extinct
Approximately 3
mya
Australopithecines
began to diverge!
Became Humans
Genus Homo
• First appeared 2 mya!
• Discovered near Australopithecine
fossil site
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.
Homo erectus
• Larger than H.
habilis – about 5
ft tall.
• Had a large brain.
• Tended to live in
groups of 20-50
members.
Homo erectus
• Hunted large
animals.
• Used fire.
• Made both stone
and bone tools.
• Went extinct
200,000 years
ago.
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.
Neanderthals
• Slightly larger brain
than modern
humans.
• Skulls were massive.
• Cared for their sick.
• Buried their dead 
left artifacts with
the dead
Why is burying the dead
significant for the study
of human evolution?
Modern Homo sapiens
• H. sapiens appeared about 34,000
years ago.
• Typically they were hunters and
gatherers.
• Complex patterns of social
organization.
Modern H. sapiens
• Developed the ability to use tools
effectively.
• Use written language that permits
concepts to be passed from generation
to generation.
Modern H. sapiens
• Developed
abstract thinking.
• Development of
culture gave way
to be able to
change our
environment to
suit our needs!