A basic study of human lineage and the differences between
modern humans and other similar primates
By, Connor Maynes
"Human Evolution - New Scientist." Science News and Science Jobs from New Scientist - New Scientist.
Human Evolution Spoof
<http://www.newscientist.com/topic/human-evolution>.
Web. 31 May 2011.
"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 June 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.macroevolution.net/images/humanevolution-timeline-500-347-25.jpg>.
1. Primate physiological similarities
Opposable thumbs and fingers
Nails instead of claws
Long fingers
Shoulder and hip joints allow a wide range of motion
2. Eyes are directed forward
Judge accurate distances
See three-dimensional images
3. Elaborate color vision
Can distinguish between various objects
4. Abnormally large brains for bodies
Allowing primates to interact in social groups and solve problems
5. Elaborate body language and vocal sounds
6. Generally one offspring at a time
Extended care to offspring
7. Primate canine and premolar teeth are significantly larger
8. Human and Chimpanzee genomes are more than 98% similar
"The Impact of Natural Selection on the Future of Humanity." Metapsychology. 31 May 2011. Web. 31 May 2011.
<http://metapsychology.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=book&id=6101&cn=167>.
Similarities and Differences Between
Humans
and
other
Primates
Continued
Chimpanzee vs. Human Protein Differences
Protein
Number of Amino Acids
Amino Acid Differences
Hemoglobin
579
1
Myoglobin
153
1
Cytrochrome C.
104
0
Serum Albumin
580
7
DNA Sequence Comparisons
Species Compared
Chimps vs. Pigmy Chimps
Difference in DNA Sequence
(%)
0.7
Estimated Time since
divergence
3 million years
Humans vs. Chimps
1.6
7 million years
Humans vs. Gorillas
2.3
10 million years
Gorillas vs. Chimps
2.3
10 million years
"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 June 2011.
<http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://i38.tinypic.com/5ydpbb.jpg>.
Sahelanthropus tchadensis
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Lived between 7 to 6 MYA
Lived in western Africa
Chimpanzee-like brain, had
similar canine teeth to
those of early humans,
walked upright
Walking upright may have
helped this species to
survive in the diverse
habitats where it lived
(woodlands and
grasslands)
Templeton, Alan R. "Genetics And
Recent Human Evolution." Evolution 61.7
(2007): 1507-519. Print.
"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 June 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.freeonlinepicture.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/04/world-map.gif>.
Orrorin Tugenensis
Lived between 6.2 to 5.8 MYA
Lived in Eastern Africa (central
Kenya)
 Walked upright, other features
are apelike- curved finger bones
for strong grasping for moving
through trees, and apelike
canine and premolar teeth
 Large teeth would have allowed
it to eat tough food, and exhibit
dominance to others. While
walking upright while retaining
the ability to climb trees would
have been helpful in an everchanging environment


"Human Evolution - New Scientist."
Science News and Science Jobs from
New Scientist - New Scientist. Web.
31 May 2011.
<http://www.newscientist.com/topic/hu
man-evolution>.
"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 June 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.freeonlinepicture.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/04/world-map.gif>.
Ardipithecus Kadabba
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Lived between 5.8 to 5.2
MYA
Lived in Eastern Africa
(Ethiopia)
lived in more closed and
wooded areas
Living in these closed and
wooded areas meant that this
species spent most of its time
in the trees and was probably
quite powerful. Meaning that
life was based upon physical
fitness.
Templeton, Alan R. "Genetics And
Recent Human Evolution." Evolution 61.7
(2007): 1507-519. Print.
"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 June 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.freeonlinepicture.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/04/world-map.gif>.
Ardipithecus Ramidus
Lived about 4.4 MYA
Lived in Eastern Africa
(Ethiopia)
 Walked upright,
opposable toes allowed
this species to climb
trees
 This species had the
ability to climb trees, but
also walk as well which
allowed it to live in both
habitats.
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"Human Evolution." A Relationship
Between Evolution, Genetics,
Morality, Ethics, Psychology,
Education,
and Culture. Web.
31 May 2011.
<http://www.onelife.com/evolve/ma
nev.html>.
"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 June 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.freeonlinepicture.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/04/world-map.gif>.
Australopithecus Anamensis
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Lived between 4.2 to 3.9
MYA
Lived in Eastern Africa
(Kenya and Ethiopia)
Walked upright, bipedal,
lived near rivers in
forests
Could walk upright and
still climb trees and living
near rivers allowed this
species to begin to form
societies as groups
would live around rivers.
"Human Evolution - New Scientist."
Science News and Science Jobs from
New Scientist - New Scientist. Web.
31 May 2011.
<http://www.newscientist.com/topic/hu
man-evolution>.
"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 June 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.freeonlinepicture.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/04/world-map.gif>.
Australopithecus Afarensis
Lived between 3.85 to 2.95 MYA
 Lived in Eastern Africa (Ethiopia,
Kenya, Tanzania)
 A. Afarensis had apelike proportions
of the face and braincase. This
species also had strong arms with
curved fingers adapted for climbing
trees. Also had small canine teeth
and bipedal walking on arched feet.
 The amount of forest, woodland, and
grassland changed as the climate
changed between wet and dry
between 3.37 to 2.95 MYA.

"Human Evolution." A Relationship Between
Evolution, Genetics, Morality, Ethics,
Psychology, Education,
and Culture.
Web. 31 May 2011.
<http://www.onelife.com/evolve/manev.html>.
 As the climate changes brain function
increases so that species may be
intelligent enough to understand new
ways of living and how to survive and
work together.
"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 June 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.freeonlinepicture.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/04/world-map.gif>.
First Major Achievement of
Humans

By 2.6 MYA tools were simple stone
flakes and cores
"Human Evolution Animation. Video." Funny Videos, Funny Pictures, Flash
Games, Jokes. Web. 31 May 2011.
<http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/735440/>.
Australopithecus Africanus
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Lived 3.3 to 2.1 MYA
Lived in South Africa
Mostly vegetarian and with a
diet similar to modern
chimpanzees consisting of
fruits, vegetables, nuts,
seeds, and eggs. Their diet
consisted of very tough food.
 As the climate changes brain
Templeton, Alan R. "Genetics And
Recent Human Evolution." Evolution 61.7
(2007): 1507-519. Print.
function increases so that this
species may be intelligent
enough to understand new
ways of living and how to
survive and work together.
"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 June 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.freeonlinepicture.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/04/world-map.gif>.
Paranthropus Aethiopicus
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Lived between 2.7 to 2.3
MYA
Lived in Eastern Africa
Large chewing muscles,
likely to be the ancestor
of Paranthropus Boisei
This species lived in a
harsh environment, and
had to eat tough foods.
As a result powerful
chewing muscles were
necessary.
"Evolution of the Skull." Visual
Dictionary. Web. 02 June 2011.
<http://www.infovisual.info/03/01
9_en.html>.
"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 June 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.freeonlinepicture.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/04/world-map.gif>.
Australopithecus Garhi
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Lived about 2.5 MYA
Lived in Eastern Africa
(Ethiopia)
Large teeth, long Femur, but
powerful arms maintained.
Suggests longer strides during
bipedal walking
Beginning 3 MYA there were
major shifts in Africa’s climate
every few thousand years
"Evolution of the Skull." Visual
Dictionary. Web. 02 June 2011.
<http://www.infovisual.info/03/019_e
n.html>.
This increases the intelligent of
the species to cope with the
changing environment
"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 June 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.freeonlinepicture.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/04/world-map.gif>.
Homo Habilis
Lived about 2.4 to 1.4 MYA
 Lived in Eastern and Southern
Africa
 Fairly short with the average height
of five feet due to colder
temperatures. Slightly larger brain
due to changing environment.
Walked upright as there were fewer
trees in its habitat.
 Between 2 to 1.7 MYA there was a
spread of dry grasslands and drier
habitats in East Africa

"Human Evolution." A Relationship
Between Evolution, Genetics, Morality,
Ethics, Psychology, Education, and
Culture. Web. 31 May 2011.
<http://www.onelife.com/evolve/manev
.html>.
 Members of this species were forced
to work together due to limited
resources, but brain size increased
and teeth size decreased as they
were no longer necessary as a way
for the species to show dominance.
"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 June 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.freeonlinepicture.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/04/world-map.gif>.
Australopithecus Sediba
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Lived About 1.95 to 1.78
MYA
Lived in Southern Africa
Slightly smaller brain due
to changing environment
and limited resources.
Walked upright as there
were fewer trees in its
habitat. Walking upright
freed the hands to
manipulate other objects
and create tools and
weapons when
necessary.
"Human Evolution." A Relationship
Between Evolution, Genetics, Morality,
Ethics, Psychology, Education, and
Culture. Web. 31 May 2011.
<http://www.onelife.com/evolve/manev
.html>.
"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 June 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.freeonlinepicture.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/04/world-map.gif>.
Paranthropus Boisei
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Lived between 2.3 to 1.2 MYA
Lived in Eastern Africa (Ethiopia,
Kenya, Tanzania, and Malawi)
Large chewing muscles a
massive jaw for tough foods, large
molars and premolars, lived
alongside Homo Erectus in
Eastern Africa
 This species required the use of
larger chewing muscles to show
dominance to the intellectually
superior Homo Erectus. It also may
have exhausted its food supply
through competition between itself
and members of the species Homo
Erectus.
"Human Evolution." A Relationship
Between Evolution, Genetics, Morality,
Ethics, Psychology, Education, and
Culture. Web. 31 May 2011.
<http://www.onelife.com/evolve/manev
.html>.
"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 June 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.freeonlinepicture.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/04/world-map.gif>.
Homo Erectus
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Lived About 1.89 to 0.7
MYA
Lived in Africa and Asia
First humans to make
homes, eat large
amounts of animal meat,
and care for the old and
weak. Longest living
species on family tree.
Vegetation changed a
great deal from 1.66 to
1.32 MYA, but Homo
Erectus survived it all.
"Human Evolution." A Relationship
Between Evolution, Genetics, Morality,
Ethics, Psychology, Education, and
Culture. Web. 31 May 2011.
<http://www.onelife.com/evolve/manev
.html>.
"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 June 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.freeonlinepicture.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/04/world-map.gif>.
Second and Third Major Achievements
of Humans
By 0.8 MYA control of fire was adapted. Early
humans probably gathered around campfires
to socialize, to find comfort and warmth, to
share food and information, and find safety
from predators
 From 0.8 to 0.2 MYA human brain size evolved
rapidly during a time of dramatic climate
change. Larger brains allowed early humans to
interact with each other and as the
environment became more unpredictable
larger brains helped our ancestors survive.
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Homo Heidelbergensis
Lived about 0.7 to 0.2 MYA
 Lived in China, Eastern Africa,
and Southern Africa
 First early humans to venture
into the cold latitudes of Europe
and hunted big game animals.
European populations of this
species were direct ancestors of
Neanderthals.
 0.356 to 0.05 MYA the orbit
around the sun became
elongated allowing for long
periods of time of no climatic
changes allowing humans to
survive without being
interrupted.

"Human Evolution." A Relationship
Between Evolution, Genetics, Morality,
Ethics, Psychology, Education, and
Culture. Web. 31 May 2011.
<http://www.onelife.com/evolve/manev
.html>.
"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 June 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.freeonlinepicture.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/04/world-map.gif>.
Homo Neanderthalensis
Lived between 0.2 to 0.028 MYA
Lived in Europe and Central Asia
Large middle part of the face,
angled cheek bones, short
extremities, large nose for
humidifying and warming/cooling,
first early humans to wear clothing
because they lived in glacial
environments. May have been the
first humans to use language, bury
their dead and exhibit symbolic
behavior.
 0.356 to 0.05 MYA the orbit around
the sun became elongated allowing
for long periods of time of no
climatic changes allowing humans
to survive without being
interrupted.



"Human Evolution - New Scientist."
Science News and Science Jobs from
New Scientist - New Scientist. Web.
31 May 2011.
<http://www.newscientist.com/topic/hu
man-evolution>.
"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 June 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.freeonlinepicture.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/04/world-map.gif>.
Homo Floresiensis
Lived between 0.095
to 0.017 MYA
 Lived in Indonesia,
Asia
 May have been
small in all
characteristics due
to limited resources,
as well as cold
temperatures.

"Human Evolution - New Scientist."
Science News and Science Jobs from
New Scientist - New Scientist. Web.
31 May 2011.
<http://www.newscientist.com/topic/hu
man-evolution>.
"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 June 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.freeonlinepicture.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/04/world-map.gif>.
Homo Sapiens
Lived 0.2 MYA to present
Lived in Africa and then spread to rest of the
world
 Began moving out of Africa about 100,000
years ago. The rapid climate changes led to
enormous increases in brain size to cope
with these changes.
 0.356 to 0.05 MYA the orbit around the sun
became elongated allowing for long periods
of time of no climatic changes allowing
humans to survive without being interrupted.
 Homo sapiens almost went extinct between
0.09 to 0.07 MYA due to widespread drought
and the human species may have been
reduced to as few as 10,000 adults of
reproductive age.


"Human Evolution - New Scientist."
Science News and Science Jobs from
New Scientist - New Scientist. Web.
31 May 2011.
<http://www.newscientist.com/topic/hu
man-evolution>.
 Superior intelligence allowed this species to
survive by conserving its resources, living in
groups, and working together to survive.
"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 June 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.freeonlinepicture.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/04/world-map.gif>.
Forth Major Achievement of
Humans

0.012 MYA humans began to
domesticate plants and animals which
led to the farming and herding of
animals which changed earth’s
landscapes
"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 June
2011.
<http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http
://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/domesticatio
n-3.jpg>.
Conclusions
Changes in the environment increase intelligence as a method of
survival, however a large brain size does not necessarily mean
higher intelligence.
 Lamarck’s idea of the property of use and disuse can be seen in
brain function in humans over time as well as muscle mass, lengthy
extremities, and jaw sizes.
 Similar Examples in Other Species

 The giraffe which uses its neck a lot to snatch food from the tops of trees
 Penguins have small wings because they do not use them to fly

Common Misconceptions
The most common is that human evolution does not exist but all
of the fossil evidence shows that human evolution does exist
Another is that humans did not evolve from ape-like ancestors
which is not true as can be seen by examining ancient human fossil
With every change in human evolution, humans move forward.
This is not necessarily true because evolution occurs and the fittest
of a group survive. The fittest may be the most intelligent or the
most powerful in strength
Another common misconception is that homo sapiens are the
direct descendants of homo Neanderthalensis
Relations
Future
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Rising carbon dioxide levels will force humans to find solutions and become more
intelligent
New species of humans may be formed through genetic engineering and they will
probably be incredibly intelligent to cope with our increasingly information based world
If the current trends continue, then humans will probably need to survive with far less
oxygen, possibly meaning an increased lung capacity, as carbon dioxide levels continue
to rise.
Populations are continuing to grow, which may cause the human species to go extinct in
the future
Analogy: Think of the earth’s ability to support life in a 24 hour period. We are now at
nine o’clock in the morning, humans diverged from apes a minute ago, and the human
species started to exist one to two seconds ago
The lack of effective natural selection in industrialized countries may cause the human
species to deteriorate
Due to increasing levels of carbon dioxide and a decrease in vegetation worldwide
human cranial capacity as well as other characteristics of humans could become far
small due to limited resources similar to Homo Floresiensis which faced similar
challenges
Overall, there are various charts and graphs to consult when attempting to discover
where the human race is moving towards, but due to the incredible technological
advancements made by homo sapiens in their short existence almost anything is
possible. The future hominid species, or Homo Novus if you will, could easily fly, contain
super human strength and even have a tail. Technology doesn’t seem to set any limits to
how far humans can go
Works Cited
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