University:
Austin College
Course:
SSCI 250 | Intermediate Topics in Social Science
Academic year:

2023
Views:

440

Pages:

2
Author:

martindbroli

The History of Human Evolution the history of human evolution Tracing the Origins of Homo sapiens: Major Transitions of Human Evolutionary History Human evolution from scientists and the public for centuries. This note provides an overview of current scientific understanding of when, where and how modern humans evolved from earlier hominin ancestors. Fossil evidence indicates hominins diverged from other great apes roughly 6-8 million years ago in Africa. Several extinct early hominin species have been identified based on discoveries of partial skeletons and bone fragments (Wood & Baker, 2011). Habilis and ergaster were likely the first to use stone tools and eat meat, exhibiting increased brain size compared to apes (Antón & Swisher, 2004). A major transition occurred with the emergence of Homo erectus 1.5-2 million years ago. Erectus had modern human-like body proportions and was the first known hominin to migrate out of Africa (Anton et al., 2014). Populations spread as far as Asia, indicating increased adaptability. The ability of erectus to harness fire for cooking and tool creation also dramatically impacted development (Wrangham, 2009). Around 300,000 years ago, archaic Homo sapiens evolved with larger brains and more sophisticated tools. Neanderthals later emerged as a distinct European population adapted to colder climates (Verna et al., 2012). They coexisted and interbred to an extent with anatomically modern Homo sapiens arising ~200,000 years ago in Africa (Sankararaman et al., 2012). Modern humans showed expanded cognitive and social abilities compared to prior hominins. Scientists have debated about the factors that allowed Human to breed and migrate around the world while other hominins became extinct. Proposed explanations include developments in language, cooperative social structures and cultural learning that increased survival (Zilhão et al., 2010). Environmental pressures and population growth likely also drove migration out of Africa ~60,000 years ago to inhabit new continents (Stringer, 2003). In Conclution, Continued fossil discoveries and analyses of our genetic relationships to extinct hominins are further illuminating the complex history that produced anatomically and behaviorally modern Homo sapiens. Understanding our long evolutionary path provides perspective on attributes that make humans unique.

Social Science Class Note - the History of Human Evolution

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