YOU ARE LEARNING:
Human Evolution
Human Evolution
We will discuss the evolutionary origin of humans.
Modern humans belong to a group known as the Hominini*.* We are the only living example of Hominini, but guess how many species scientists have discovered so far in the fossil records.
Today, humans are one of the only species to live across all continents and all habitats, but which continent do you think we first evolve on?
Have a good look at this simple "family tree" for humans. Who are we more closely related to?
A) Gorillas B) Chimps
Humans and chimps share about 99% of the same genes!
We share about 98% with gorillas.
This is one of our earliest ancestors.
Australopithecus africanus
From its name, where do you think the fossils of A. africanus where found?
Modern humans are called Homo sapiens. Are we from the same genus (group) as Australopithecus africanus?
At some point about 2 -3 million years ago, Australopithecus evolved into the earliest true humans; the Hominoids.
DNA and fossils can help provide evidence for the path of human evolution, but which one provides most of our evidence do you think?
Humans (and the other now extinct) hominids are different from other apes in the way we move. What is the difference, do you think?
Walking upright was a key development in human evolution, but why might it have been so important out there on the fields of Africa for our primitive ancestors?
One current theory for why we walk upright is that it allowed early humans to walk long distances. Why would that be useful for them? Pick all the options you think are correct.
You can select multiple answers
The two most recent ancestors of modern humans are H. neaderthalensis and H. floresiensis, but we do not know which is the forerunner of today's humans. Pick all the options below that you think could provide evidence to help answer this question.
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