Human Evolution - Pre Historic Period | Ancient History

By ·
Human Evolution - Pre-Historic Period (30,00,000 BC - 600 BC)

Human Evolution : Two Theories (Unitary Origin Theory & Parallel Origin Theory)
Unitary Origin Theory : Modern human evolved originally from Homoerectus in Africa & then by migrating along different routes
Parallel Origin Theory : Modern human evolved in parallel from several dippersed Homoerectus population of the world at the same time

Darwin has stated that evolution has come through a series of natural selection.
The theory emphasized the following points : 
1. Natural Selection
2. Variation
3. Struggle To Exist
4. Survival of the Fittest

Evolution is the outcome of the interaction amongst the following five processes :
1. Mutation
2. Genetic Recombination
3. Chromosomal Abnormalities
4. Reproductive isolation
5. Natural Selection 

Stages of Human Evolution are :
1. Dryopithecus
2. Ramapithecus
3. Australopithecus
4. Homo Erectus / Pithecanthropus
5. Homo Sapiens Neanderthalensis
6. Homo Sapiens Sapiens / Cromagnons

Dryopithecus
  • They lived in China, Africa, Europe and India.
  • The genus Dryopithecus refers to the oak wood apes.
  • Dryopithecus was alive, the tropical lowlands (densely forested)
  • Members could have predominantly been herbivores.
Ramapithecus
  • Their first remains were discovered from the Shivalik range in Punjab and later in Africa and Saudi Arabia. 
  • They lived in open grasslands
  • Two pieces of evidence confirm their Hominid status :
  • 1. Thickened tooth enamel, robust jaws and shorter canines
  • 2. Usage of hands for food and defence and extrapolations of upright posture
Australopithecus Africanus (50,00,000 BC - 30,00,000 BC)
  • Early ancestor of human 
  • Archaeology remains found in Africa Only 
  • Fossil of child skull (Lucy) found 
  • Lucy is known as "Mother of Man" 
  • Knew free use of hands 
  • Fast pre human Hominid called Proto Human
  • The fossil first discovered in 1924 in South Africa
  • Africa (the cradle of Humankind) - Original homeland of human
Homo Erectus (30,00,000 BC - 1,00,000 BC)
  • Earliest Biped Human
  • The Upright Man
  • Discovered Fire and Hand Axe
  • Travelled Long Distance
  • Archaeological remains found in Africa, Asia and Europe
  • Human Female Skull fossil found in Hathnora(MP) - Narmada
  • The first fossil of Homo Erectus was found in Java in 1891
  • Another discovery made in China was the Peking man
  • Homo erectus used tools comprising quartz
  • Tools made of bones and wood were also discovered
  • The Homo Erectus is believed to dwell in caves
Homo Sapiens Neanderthal (1,00,000 BC - 40, 000 BC) 
  • The cranial capacity of Neanderthal grew from 1200 to 1600 cc. 
  • The Wise Man
  • Neanderthal (German name of Neander Valley of Germany) 
  • Archaeological remains found in Africa, Asia and Europe
Homo Sapiens Sapiens / Cro-Magnon (40,000 BC - 10,000 BC)
  • The remains of Homo Sapiens were first discovered in Europe and were named Cro-Magnon. 
  • Their cranial capacity was about 1350 cc. 
  • Art first appeared during this time. 
  • Early sign of evolution of three original human races (Caucessoid, Monagoloid & Negroid) 
  • Modern Man  
  • Cro-Magnon (France) ; Chancelade (France) ; Grimaldi (Italy)

Previous Page.                            Next Page

No comments:

Post a Comment