Evolution Part 3 –
Timeline and Human
Evolution
Jim Whitfield
Origin and Evolution of Man
Fossils found in the Olduvai Gorge, principally by the
Louis and Mary Leaky, show that about 3-4 million
years ago a small man-like primate standing under four
feet tall walked upright (bipedalism) in the region that
is now Tanzania and Ethiopia.
Origin and Evolution of Man
Fossils found in the Olduvai Gorge, principally by the
Louis and Mary Leaky, show that about 3-4 million
years ago a small man-like primate standing under four
feet tall walked upright (bipedalism) in the region that
is now Tanzania and Ethiopia.
In 1975 Mary Leaky, working in Laetoli, Tanzania
unearthed a track way showing three distinct
individuals (2 adults and a child) walking through what
at one time had been mud. The site was dated to 3.7
million years ago
Cast of the Laetoli footprints at the National
Museum of Natural History, in Washington, D.C.
(above)
Replica of the track way at the National Museum
of Science in Tokyo, Japan (left)
The original track way has been reburied with
its where abouts only vaguely known to be
rediscovered at some time in the future
Origin and Evolution of Man
The most ancient and complete hominid skeleton was
discovered in 1972 by American Donald Johnson and
other members of the multinational team in Afar,
Ethiopia. “Lucy” as she came to be known was a
member of the the Australopithecus Afarensis. She stood
1.1 meters tall and weighed in at 29 kg. Though she
looked somewhat chimpanzee like, reconstruction of
pelvic and knee joint showed that she walked like a
modern human. Her skeleton was dated to 3.2 million
years ago. The fact that she had a very small brain case
lent support to the theory that bipedalism preceded
brain size in humans
Walking cast of Lucy in the
National Museum of Mexico
City, Mexico
Australopithecus afarensis, cast from Museum
National D'histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
Origin and Evolution of Man
The evolution of modern man begins about 1.5 million
years ago
Origin and Evolution of Man
The evolution of modern man begins about 1.5 million
years ago
During this time two distinct humanoid-like primates
walked the African savannah – Ramapithecus and
Dryopithecus
Origin and Evolution of Man
The evolution of modern man begins about 1.5 million
years ago
During this time two distinct humanoid-like primates
walked the African savannah – Ramapithecus and
Dryopithecus
Of the two Ramapithecus was more human-like. There
are relatively few fossilized remains from any humanlike organism from this time period
Origin and Evolution of Man
About two million years ago Australopithecines inhabited
the East-African grasslands. Australopithecines continued
to walk upright, fossil evidence of teeth indicated that
he was a plant eater. There is also evidence that she
used tools
Origin and Evolution of Man
About two million years ago Australopithecines inhabited
the East-African grasslands. Australopithecines continued
to walk upright, fossil evidence of teeth indicated that
he was a plant eater. There is also evidence that she
used tools
Scattered amongst the bones were other more
“modern” human remains. This human-like
“hominoid” had a significantly larger brain case (650800 cc’s) and had other more human-like features
particularly in the joints this individual was called
Homo Habilis
Origin and Evolution of Man
Fossils discovered on the Island of Java in 1891 showed
the next step in human evolution Homo Erectus
(previously called Java Man) was prevalent about 1.5
million years ago. His brain case had increased to
about 900 cc and their is evidence (structure of the jaw
and teeth) that they were meat eaters. It is also
important that the location of these fossils show that
either humans evolved independently in different
locations or more likely that at some point in the
distant past the emigrated out of Africa and into Asia
Origin and Evolution of Man
From approximately 100,000 to 40,000 years ago
Neanderthal man lived in both Asia and in Europe.
Neanderthal man had a brain case of about 1400cc’s
he fashioned tools from stone and wood, worn animal
hides, made jewelry, produced primitive artwork on
cave walls and buried their dead
Origin and Evolution of Man
From approximately 100,000 to 40,000 years ago
Neanderthal man lived in both Asia and in Europe.
Neanderthal man had a brain case of about 1400cc’s
he fashioned tools from stone and wood, worn animal
hides, made jewelry, produced primitive artwork on
cave walls and buried their dead
Neanderthal man had a more significant brow ridge as
well as a larger thicker jaw which could accommodate
more teeth. Our wisdom teeth are vestigial structures
now, however they feet very nicely into the jaw of the
Neanderthal
Origin and Evolution of Man
During the last ice age (75,000 – 10,000 years ago)
modern Homo Sapiens arose. Homo Sapiens and
Neanderthals lived together in Europe for about 5,000
years. Why Neanderthals went extinct is up for debate.
However, all non-Africans share between 1.5 and 2.5%
of their DNA with Neanderthal DNA – perhaps we
bred them out of existence.
Origin and Evolution of Man
During the last ice age (75,000 – 10,000 years ago)
modern Homo Sapiens arose. Homo Sapiens and
Neanderthals lived together in Europe for about 5,000
years. Why Neanderthals went extinct is up for debate.
However, all non-Africans share between 1.5 and 2.5%
of their DNA with Neanderthal DNA – perhaps we
bred them out of existence.
Cave art reached its zenith about 18,000 years ago.
Modern agriculture began about 10,000 years ago, this
is the same time human settlements began to appear
and civilization as we know it began to form
Lascaux cave painting in Southern France