Lecture notes on Human Evolution-Different stages

Human evolution

Human evolution is the time taken  process of change by which humans originated from apelike ancestors. Scientific proof suggested that the physical and behavioral traits shared by all human originated from apelike ancestors and evolved over a period of approximately six million years. 

Taxonomic Position of modern man in animal kingdom

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Primates

Family: Hominidae

Genus: Homo

Species: Sapiens

Characters:

Highly developed brain and high cranial capacity.

Humans are more intelligent than others

The power of thinking and sense of self consciousness .

Humans posses erect posture and bipedal locomotion.

They have grasping hand.

Shifting from hunting life to cultivating life with culture and civilization.

It may statef that the origin and evolution ofman have occurred from the ape-like ancestor.The various  stages are described as below

 1.Parapithecus(Anthropoid):They were  the common ancestor of human apes and monkey. Their fossils were discovered from Egypt. They have evolved 36 million years ago.

2.Dryopithecus:They were the common hominid ancestor of human and apes. Their Fossil was discovered from Europe and Africa. They have evolved 24 million years ago. They possessed a round forehead and pointed canine teeth.

3.Ramapithecus or shivapithecus:Fossil discovered from Shivalik hills of India and also from the Butwal and Dang of Nepal. They were the oldest and direct ancestors of humans.They were evolved 14 million years ago. They were arboreal in habit  but also walked on the ground. They posses smaller canine and larger molar teeth.

 4.Australopithecus: They were the first Human-like form of ape. It is regarded as the connecting link between human and apes. They evolved five million years ago Their fossils discovered from Africa. They were the first human  ancestor showed bipedal locomotion. Their cranial capacity was 500 cc. 

5. Homo habilis or Handyman or Skilful man:They were the first toolmakers(nutcrackers). They made various tools from stone. Their fossil discovered from East Africa. They were evolved 2 million years ago. Their cranial capacity was 700Cc. They had prognathous jaw, protecting brow ridge and narrow slopy forehead.

6.Homoerectus  or Erect man:They have more erect posture. They made more elaborate tools from stone and bond. They have evolved 1.7 million years ago. They also had prognathous jaw, protecting brow ridge and narrow slopy forehead. They have three subspecies:

a.H.erectus erectus or Java ape-man: Their fossil was discovered from Java of Indonesia. They first used fire for cooking and protection. Their cranial capacity was 900 cc.

 b.H.erectus pekinensis or Peking man: Their fossils were discovered from peking of China. They were shorter and lighter than Java ape-man. Their cranial capacity was 900- 1200cc.

c.H.erectus Heidelbergenosis or Heidelberg man: Their fossils were discovered from Heidelberg of Germany. They were much taller and heavier. Their cranial capacity was 1300 cc.

7.Homo sapiens neanderthalensis or Neanderthal man:Their fossils discover from Neander valley of Germany. They had slightly prognathous jaw with a broad nose. Their cranial capacity was 1300-1600 cc (equal to that of modern man).They were stronger than modern man. They developed society, culture, and division of labour. They lived in a cave. They buried dead bodies with the ceremony. They were omnivorous and cannibals. They were the skilled hunter. They used an animal skin for clothing. They became extinct 3000 years ago.

8.Homo sapiens fossilis or Cro-magnon man: They were the immediate ancestor of modern man. Their fossils were discovered from the cromagnon rock of France. They had the orthognathous jaw with a rounded forehead. Their cranial capacity was 1650 cc so supposed to be more intelligent than modern man. They made sculpture and color painting in the cave. They were omnivorous. They made more excellent tools like spears, bows, and arrows.

9.Homo sapiens sapiens(Modern man): They  evolved 20,000 years ago and spread around Caspian and Mediterranean sea before 1000 years ago.Cranial capacity is 1450 cc They migrated towards different countries and develop into different races:

a. Caucasians: Those who migrate westward like Europe, Southeast Asia. 

b. Mongoloid: Those who migrate eastward like ChinaJapan, Siberia etc. 

c. Negroid: Those who move southward like Africa.