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Human evolution:
Classification
1. Origin of mammals: About 210 million years ago, mammals were supposed to have evolved from therapsid reptiles. These mammals resemble today’s tree shrew.
2. Origin of early Primates: The early primates or prosimians originated about 65 million years ago. These prosimians are lemurs, tarsiers and lorises.
3. Origin of Anthropoids: Anthropoids originated about 36 million years ago. Anthropoids are simians (new world monkeys and old world monkeys) and hominids (human and apes).
Differences between new world monkey and old world monkey
Differences between ape and human
On the basis of the taxonomic characters, there is no doubt that man evolved from a monkey-like a creature. The common group is Anthropoidea. It is confirmed that man and chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans evolved from the common superfamily Hominoidea.
Human ancestors
1. Early human ancestors:
a) Parapithecus:
i) Fossils was reported from Egypt which was about 40 million years old.
ii) It was a common ancestor of humans, apes, and monkeys.
b) Dryopithecus:
i) Fossils were reported from Asia and Africa which were about 20- 25 million years old.
ii) It was a common ancestor of apes and humans.
c) Proconsul africanus:
i) Fossils was reported from Africa which was about 20 million years old.
ii) It was also a common ancestor of apes and humans.
iii) Forehead was similar to a human.
iv) Canine teeth were long and pointed.
2. Ancient human ancestor:
a) Ramapithecus:
i) Fossils were reported from Asia and Africa which were about 10-13 million years old. Fossils were also found in the Dang valley and Tinau River of Butwal of Nepal.
ii) Body posture was erect.
iii) It was the ancestor of only humans, so it was the direct ancestor of humans.
iv) It was arboreal in habitat.
v) Small canine teeth similar to humans.
b) Australopithecus:
i) Fossils was reported from Africa which was about 5 million years old.
ii) Bipedal locomotion with erect body posture.
iii) Large-sized teeth.
iv) They used weapons of stone to kill prey and defense.
v) Cranial capacity was 600 cc.
vi) There were two species of Australopithecus. One was Australopithecus africanus which evolved further and the next was Australopithecus robustus which went extinct.
3. Modern human ancestors:
a) Homo habilis (Handyman)
i) Fossils was reported from Africa which was 3.5 million years old.
ii) It evolved from Australopithecus africanus.
iii) Cranial capacity was 700cc.
iv) They used tools of stone for hunting and defense so they are called tool makers or handymen.
v) They lived community life in caves.
b) Homo erectus (Erect man):
There were three species.
i) Homo erectus erectus (Java man):
- Fossils were reported from Java of Indonesia which was about 1.7 million years old.
- Cranial capacity was 900 cc.
- They had heavy eyebrows.
- Legs were long and strong.
- Lips were thick and extended forward.
- They discovered fire which was used for hunting, cooking, and defense.
- They were omnivorous but the meat was the main diet.
ii) Homo erectus pekinensis (Peking man):
- Fossils were reported from Peking of China which was about 230,000 years old.
- Cranial capacity was 1075 cc.
- They used fire for hunting, cooking, and defense.
- They used sharp tools of stones for hunting, cutting, and defense.
- They had the habit of cannibalism.
iii) Homo erectus heidelbergensis (Heidelberg man):
- Fossils were discovered from Heidelberg in Germany which was about 200,000 years old.
- Cranial capacity was about 1200 cc.
- They were right-handed.
- This handedness was associated with the development of language.
- They used to hunt large animals.
- They built simple shelters for dwellings.
c) Homo sapiens neanderthalensis (Neanderthal man):
i) Fossils was reported from the Neanderthal valley of Germany.
ii) They existed about 40,000 years ago and flourished in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
iii) Broad nose with powerful neck muscles.
iv) They used tools and weapons for hunting, defense, and cutting.
v) Primitive type of social life, culture, and religion was developed.
vi) They covered their body with the skin of animals.
vii) They buried dead bodies with ceremonies as a tradition.
viii) Cranial capacity was 1450 cc.
d) Homo sapiens fossilis (Cromagnon man):
i) Fossils was reported from Cromagnon rock of France.
ii) They evolved about 34,000 years ago and existed about 10,000 years ago.
iii) Cranial capacity was 1600 cc.
iv) They had narrow skulls with broad faces.
v) They lived with a family in caves.
vi) They used to draw pictures and had skills in wall painting.
vii) They prepared excellent and sophisticated weapons.
viii) They used ornaments of elephant tusk, stones, bones etc.
e) Homo sapiens sapiens (Modern man):
i) Erect posture and bipedal locomotion.
ii) Diet is changed to cooked food.
iii) Development of languages and speech.
iv) Ability to learn and share experiences.
v) Expression is improved.
vi) Developed ideas on agriculture and domesticating animals.
vii) Cultural and social awareness.
viii) Developed a sense of civilization.
Modern man was migrated to three directions
1. the First group migrated to the northeast which are called Mongoloid races found in China, Mongolia, Japan, Siberia, Bhutan, etc.
2. the Second group migrated to the west called the white race or Caucasoid race found in Europe, America, southwest Asia, North Africa, etc.
3. the Third group migrated to the south called Negroid race which are found in Malaysia, Indonesia, Srilanka, south India, Mid and South Africa.
