Primate to HumanPrimate to HumanPrimate to HumanPrimate to Human

From simple to complex!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.

Approximately 3 mya

Australopithecines began to diverge!

Became Humans

Went extinct

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!