The Origin of Man
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ScribdTranslationsThe Origin of Man
Uploaded by
ScribdTranslationsThe Origin of Man
The chronology of the origin of man and his evolution is not precise. There are
numerous classifications, often contradictory, as there are still several gaps
important.
In general, we can say that a common trunk gave rise to
great apes or anthropoids (Pongidae) and humans (Hominidae). In
At some point, these two families formed and evolved in directions.
different: the Pongidae took on the forms of the gorilla, the chimpanzee, the
the orangutan and the current gibbon, while the Hominidae went through several
transformations, until reaching Homo sapiens sapiens.
The Australopithecus
The hominids or hominins are classified into two genera. The first is the
Australopithecus (from Latin australis = southern + Greek pithekos = monkey), which
had physical characteristics still far from modern man. The second is the
genus Homo, to which we belong. It is not known whether Homo evolved from
Australopithecus or whether both are independent genera linked to an ancestor.
common. But all indications are that the first hominids lived in Southeastern Africa.
There are three known species of australopithecines. Australopithecus afarensis is the
older, having lived about 3 million years ago. The Australopithecus
africanus and Australopithecus robustus existed until 1.5 and 1 million years respectively.
years before our era, and that A. africanus may have given rise to the
genus Homo. These three species are clearly differentiated from the Pongidae.
because, despite its small cranial capacity (400 cm3 for A. aferensis and
500 cm for the others), they had a bipedal stance and did not possess large fangs.
existing canine teeth in anthropoids.
Skull of an Australopithecus, found in South Africa
Handy man
About 2 million years ago—therefore the species subsequent to the origin of
man, contemporary of Australopithecus africanus and of Australopithecus
robust—rising from the first species of the genus Homo: Homo habilis, thus
called for its ability to use, for the first time, cutting stones or
sharp to break seed coats, dig the ground in search of roots or
butchering animals. Its cranial volume ranged between 650 and 800 cm3. Furthermore,
had a less hunched posture than that of the australopithecines.
Homo erectus
About 1.5 million years ago, Homo habilis, previously confined to Africa, gave
originating a species that would spread through Asia and Europe: Homo erectus.
This, in addition to demonstrating a remarkable evolution in the use of stone tools.
(axes, hatchets, scrapers) must have initiated spoken language, and about
500,000 years ago, began to shelter in caves and produce fire. In aspect
physically, Homo erectus did not exceed 1.5m in height; it had the brow ridge
protruding and a massive jaw, lacking a chin. The head articulated itself
with the spine slightly projected forward.
In addition to the many Homo erectus fossils found in Africa, discoveries were made
others, slightly differentiated, in Asia and Europe. They are the Javantropo,
Sinanthropus and Paleanthropus (from Greek anthropos = man), located
respectively on the Island of Java (Indonesia), near Beijing (China) and in
Heidelberg (Germany). The three were classified as subspecies of Homo.
erectus and received, in addition, the designations javanensis, pekinensis
the Heidelbergensis.
Reconstruction of two ancestors of Homo sapiens. From left to right;
the Sinanthropus and the Javayntropus.
Approximately in 300,000 BC, Homo erectus began to suffer
transformations that would result in the species to which we belong: Homo sapiens.
Neanderthal man
Remains of the oldest subspecies of Homo sapiens have been discovered by
first time in the valley (in German = thal) of the Neander River, in Germany; hence they have
received the scientific name of Homo sapiens neanderthalensis. Specimens
similar ones would later be found in France, Yugoslavia, Palestine, and Africa.
North.
The height of the Neanderthal man was just over 1.5m. His skull
it presented as slightly flattened at the occiput, with the forehead quite tilted
backward, robust jawbones, and a slightly pronounced chin. The superciliary arch was
less prominent than in the preceding species.
Neanderthals hunted in groups and sheltered from the cold in caves.
They lived between 120,000 and 35,000 B.C. The reasons for their disappearance are not
clearer, but many must have mixed or been exterminated by the second and
most evolved subspecies of Piorno sapieM, scientifically named Homo
sapiens sapiens—meaning, modern man.
The map indicates the migratory process of man towards other continents, the
leave from Africa.
wise wise human
Homo sapiens sapiens emerged around 40,000 B.C. The first specimens
studied were discovered in a locality in the South of France; hence they are
designated as Cro-Magnon man. They were taller than the
Neanderthals had less heavy facial features, with the skull
elongated, with a wide forehead and a rounded chin.
Homo sapiens sapiens replaced Neanderthals around 25,000
B.C., spread across the Earth. It was up to him to improve the techniques for obtaining
food, expand social organization forms, structure religion and produce
artistic manifestations. And, over time, Homo sapiens sapiens gave
origin to thehuman races.
Currently, many scholars avoid using the term race to designate a group
human with a certain phenotype; instead, they prefer the word ethnicity. The reason
for this rejection is mainly ideological, due to the negative connotation of 'race'
with "racism" (an anti-scientific attitude based on the supposed superiority of certain
races over others.
Now, since the concept of ethnicity also involves cultural peculiarities, it is difficult
stop using the word race when considering characteristics
strictly physical characteristics of human groups (skin color and eye color, height, shape
of the skull and face, types of nose and hair etc.). But, such characteristics are
studied by Physical Anthropology, with Cultural Anthropology being responsible for its implementation
of ethnographic and ethnological studies.
It is believed that current human races resulted from the fixation of certain
groups in specific areas, to which they adapted. In this case, as the
procreation occurred within a restricted universe, it intensified
certain physical traits, differentiating one group from another. And it is obvious that such
differences do not imply any idea of superiority or inferiority among them
groups.
See alsom:
Prehistory
Arrival of Man in America
Water in the history of man
Origin of Life
The Human Animal