Human Evolution Human Evolution

• Evolution of humans is believed to have begun with the earliest primates 60 million years ago.

• Evolution of humans is believed to have begun with the earliest primates 60 million years ago.

• Some major developments in primate evolution are: flattened molars, opposable digits, and binocular vision.

• It is believed that hominids have many branches and species before the emergence of humans.

• Some major developments in primate evolution are: flattened molars, opposable digits, and binocular vision.

• It is believed that hominids have many branches and species before the emergence of humans.

• The branching of the hominids, Homo habilis and then Homo erectus, as they spread across the continents eventually led to the evolution into Homo sapiens and other similar species.

• The branching of the hominids, Homo habilis and then Homo erectus, as they spread across the continents eventually led to the evolution into Homo sapiens and other similar species.

• Top row, from left to right: Kenyanthropus platyops, Homo neanderthalensis,

• Middle row, from left to right: Australopithecus afarensis, Paranthropus boisei, Homo habilis,

• Bottom row, from left to right: Australopithecus africanus, Homo erectus, Australopithecus anamensis, Homo rudolfensis .

• Top row, from left to right: Kenyanthropus platyops, Homo neanderthalensis,

• Middle row, from left to right: Australopithecus afarensis, Paranthropus boisei, Homo habilis,

• Bottom row, from left to right: Australopithecus africanus, Homo erectus, Australopithecus anamensis, Homo rudolfensis .

So how did humans cover the Earth?•This is the monogenesis theory.

• There is also evidence that seems to support monogenesis based on DNA analysis of remains from different continents.

• There is also evidence that seems to support monogenesis based on DNA analysis of remains from different continents.

• Natural selection would have adapted H. sapiens to suit their environment (e.g. enlarged brain, bi-pedal locomotion).

• Humans had also developed the ability to create tools and alter their environment to their needs.

• Natural selection would have adapted H. sapiens to suit their environment (e.g. enlarged brain, bi-pedal locomotion).

• Humans had also developed the ability to create tools and alter their environment to their needs.

What Could Alter Human Evolution?• Artificial Selection – Favours individuals

that have traits that aren’t necessarily related to the ability to survive. Ex. Sexual selection in animals that causes differences between males and females.

What Could Alter Human Evolution?• Artificial Selection – Favours individuals

that have traits that aren’t necessarily related to the ability to survive. Ex. Sexual selection in animals that causes differences between males and females.

• This type of selection can cause a shift in a population’s appearance that is either stabilizing, directed, or disruptive.

• This type of selection can cause a shift in a population’s appearance that is either stabilizing, directed, or disruptive.

• Stabilizing

• Directed

• Disruptive

• Stabilizing

• Directed

• Disruptive

Impacts on Human Evolution• In the last 40 000 years though,

cultural needs have had a bigger influence on evolution than biological ones.

• Rather than evolving to the environment, humans are now changing their environment to suit their needs.

• Does this mean that evolution may no longer be relevant for human development?

Impacts on Human Evolution• In the last 40 000 years though,

cultural needs have had a bigger influence on evolution than biological ones.

• Rather than evolving to the environment, humans are now changing their environment to suit their needs.

• Does this mean that evolution may no longer be relevant for human development?