Evolution of man: stages, characteristics, timeline
Evolution of man or human evolution is the name of a series of biological changes by which it has past our species to become what we now call a human being, scientifically known What Homo sapiens.
This evolutionary process originated between 4 and 7 million years ago in Africa and began with the appearance of the first hominids, which were primates that moved on two legs, such as the Australopithecus.
From here, the emergence of new species was determined by the development of the ability to create tools, move to new territories or learn to use fire. In the same way, each new species brought with it physical and biological changes until the current human being evolved.
| Species | Period | Location | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australophitecus | 4 -2 million years ago | Africa |
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| Homo habilis | 2.3 -1.6 million years | Africa |
|
| Homo ergaster | 1.9 - 1.5 million years | Africa |
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| Homo erectus | 1.8 million years - 100 thousand years | Asia |
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| Homo antecessor | 900 thousand years - 75 thousand years | Europe |
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| Homo heidelbergensis | 600 thousand years -200 thousand years | Europe |
|
| Homo neanderthalensis | 230 thousand years - 30 thousand years | Europe and Asia |
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| Homo sapiens | 200 thousand years - present | All the world |
|
Stages of the evolution of man
For the human being to have developed its current characteristics, it has had to go through millions of years of evolutionary changes that include from standing on your two lower extremities to developing the language. Of all this process, there are representative species of the different evolutionary stages.
Australophitecus: the first hominids
The Australopithecus they were a group of hominid primates that lived in Africa about four million years ago.
Hominids are primates that move on two legs, such as orangutans, bonobos, gorillas or chimpanzees. It is believed that Australopithecus They were the first to develop this feature, and for this reason they are considered a key factor in human evolution.
The primates of this group fed on plants and fruits, lived in the African savannah, were thin and short (up to 1.40 m, approximately). A climate crisis that occurred 2.5 million years ago led to the extinction of the Australopithecus and originated two new genres derived from them: the Paranthropus and the Homo. The latter, in turn, are the origin of the current human being.
Homo habilis: tool makers
The Homo habilis It is a genus of primitive human that lived on the African continent about 2.3 million years ago. His name (skilled man, in Latin) refers to his ability to create rudimentary stone tools.
The development of this ability marks an important milestone in the human evolutionary process, because it indicates, among other things, the ability to have access to more and better food. In that sense, it is known that the Homo habilis It was a carnivore, but not a hunter, since it is believed that at this stage it fed on animal remains.
The Homo habilis He was short and heavy like his predecessors Australophitecus, since they only measured 1.35 m and weighed about 32 kilos. However, his brain, molars, and incisor teeth were larger.
Homo ergaster: the first nomads
The Homo ergaster it was a species of primitive human that lived 2 million years ago. Its main characteristic is that it did not settle in Africa, but moved to Asian and European territories, becoming the first species of the genus Homo to leave the African continent.
The Homo ergaster he made sophisticated tools such as double-edged stone axes. Its size and weight were relatively similar to those of the current human being (1, 85 m and 68 kilos, approximately), its brain was larger than that of previous species and they may be the first species to establish some kind of communication.
Homo erectus: Asian ancestors
Is named Homo erectus to the early human species that lived about 1.8 million years ago in East Asia. It is believed that they are descendants of the Homo ergaster who settled in Asia as they share common characteristics.
The distinctive feature of Homo erectus It is his ability to walk fully upright, hence his name (upright man, in Latin). They lived in groups and probably exchanged goods to strengthen social ties. When moving to colder territories, the Homo erectus he learned to use fire to warm himself and cook his food. Its height and maximum weight are estimated at 1.80 m and 68 kilos, respectively.
The Homo erectus it disappeared about 500 thousand years ago on the Asian continent, except for the island of Java, in Indonesia. It lived there until about 100,000 years ago and it is presumed that the conditions of geographic isolation favored its survival.
Homo antecessor: the first Europeans
It is known as Homo antecessor to the species of the genus Homo oldest found in Europe. In that sense, it would be an equivalent of what the Homo erectus in the Asian continent in terms of archaeological relevance.
The first fossils of Homo antecessor They were found in the Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain and suggest that they lived about 900 thousand years ago. They were characterized by being tall and strong: they measured approximately 1.90 m and weighed about 90 kilos, although their brain was smaller than that of other related species. Furthermore, they were not able to master the fire.
Homo heidelbergensis: pioneers of symbolic language
The Homo heidelbergensis it was a species that lived 600 thousand years ago in Eurasia. Its name derives from the German city of Heilderberg, where the first fossils were found.
The Homo heidelbergensis They were humans with large skulls, pronounced nostrils, protruding jaws, an average height of 1.75m and a weight of 62 kilos.
His greatest contribution to human evolution was his ability to mentally represent the world from his experiences. This is called symbolic thinking, and it allows individuals to think about the past and consider future events, making decisions based on their conclusions.
The Homo heidelbergensis They used fire and made stone and wood tools more sophisticated than other species, such as bifaces, which were sharp objects with a symmetrical shape.
Homo neanderthalensis: use of thumbs and articulate language
Better known as Neanderthal man, it is an extinct species of the genus Homo who lived in Asia and Europe about 230 thousand years ago.
The Homo neanderthalensis they were stronger than the current human being, but their limbs were shorter. In fact, they were about 1.68 m tall. The evolutionary contribution of this species was the adaptation of its thumbs for power grips, which are the type of grips we use to hold tools with a handle, such as hammers. This implies the development of larger and more efficient tools.
Furthermore, Neanderthals are believed to have been the first species to use articulate language, probably based on some basic phonemes (sounds).
The evidence found indicates that Neanderthals and the Homo sapiens they lived together for a time. However, the Neanderthals became extinct 30 thousand years ago and only the Neanderthals Homo sapiens prevailed.
Homo sapiens: the current human being
The species Homo sapiens refers to the modern human being that emerged 200 thousand years ago on the African continent.
The Homo sapiens it is characterized by being the first species to develop logical and abstract thinking, a complex oral and written language, the creative capacity and to organize itself in society.
Their average height and weight is 1.80 m and about 80 kilos. However, this depends on various genetic and cultural factors.
These abilities have allowed the species to adapt and survive to changes in its environment. The construction of more resistant houses, the artistic expressions, the creation of rites and the design of sophisticated tools are the expression of these capabilities and make a great difference with respect to the others species Homo already extinct.
Timeline of the evolution of man
See also:
- Difference between nomads and sedentary
- Difference between language, language and speech
- Language types