Introduction

 Humans are primates and share a common ancestry with other modern primates some time in the recent past (in an evolutionary sense).   The more advanced primates exhibit many physical characteristics and behaviours that are similar to humans, but at the same time there are fundamental differences between the apes and those that we would call Hominid.

Humans are a very much part of a consistency and change theme.   The changing relationships of humans with their environment, which started when human ancestors were 'forced' out of the trees and compelled to take up an open plains existence, has been associated with considerable biological and cultural change.

 3# Describe the primate distinguishing characteristics that identifies each of these as a distinctly different group from other mammals.  

Take into account the following features:

a. Physical dentition, limb structure, tail presence/absence tail function, facial structure, extent of bifocal and colour vision, degree of development of olfactory organs, snout and nostril structure.

b. Behavioural  communication, social behaviour, locomotion, behaviour towards young.

c. Diet, habitat,

BZ pg Human Skull Anatomy, Human Characteristics, Hominin Evolution

Handout:  Apes vs Us  (use links below to fill in table)

BZ pg Primate skull features

Chapter 4 Apes and Ancestors   Link with more detail for those interested

7. Clearly define the characteristics which are unique to the genus Homo.   Describe the biological and cultural evolution of the various species belonging to the genus:

   Homo habilis

         Homo erectus

         Homo sapiens (archaic)

         Homo sapiens neanderthalensis   (Neanderthal)

         Homo sapiens sapiens   (modern)

Player Cards (refer to BZ Hominin data sheets)

By the end of 5, 6 and 7 you should be able to:

 8. Describe the trends of biological evolution with respect to skeletal changes linked to bipedalism. Trends to include changes in: height, skull (foramen magnum etc), spine, pelvis, legs, knee, foot, toes, forelimb length. To include comparison with a non-human ape.

BZ pg Lucy

 9 # Describe how the fossil evidence for Ardipithecus ramidus has changed our view on the evolution of bipedalism

BZ pg Ardipithecus ramidus

 10. Describe the trends of biological evolution with respect to changes in manipulative ability of the hand. Trends are to include changes in thumb length (which resulted in more effective opposability),, finger shape/ length and dexterity.  To include comparison with a non-human ape.

Article: Evolution of the human hand: the role of throwing and clubbing (all you ever wanted to know about power and precision grips!)

BZ  The Primate Hand

11# Define the terms: biological evolution ( as the transmission of factors by way of genes)  and cultural evolution (as the transmission of ideas, beliefs, etc. outside the genes).

12. Distinguish between cultural evolution and biological evolution. Define the term cultural evolution as behaviour patterns passed on via learning and communication (viz use of tools, fire, clothing, beliefs).  

Biological evolution is the result of natural selection acting upon whole populations over many generations. Biological evolution relies on mutations as a source of new characteristics and involves much longer time periods.

Cultural Evolution is any learnt behaviour  (knowledge, attitudes, customs and ideas) Cultural evolution is passed from one generation to the next by learning. It is very fast compared to biological evolution and can happen within a generation or lifetime.

BZ pg Cultural Evolution 

Describe the development of successive cultures over the last 3 million years:

          1.     Palaeolithic   (Old Stone Age)

         2.     Mesolithic  (Middle Stone Age)

         3.     Neolithic    (New Stone Age)

         4.     Copper Age

         5.     Bronze Age

         6.     Iron Age

 BZ pg Mesolithic Culture

Human Evolution Timeline 

13. Identify the various tool cultures (Oldowan, Acheulian, Mousterian, and Upper Palaeolithic) and the development of abstract thought- expressed in the form of art (e.g. cave paintings) and spiritual practices.

Watch video on how Mousterian tool culture used the Levallois method to create stone tools (scroll down)

 BZ pg Palaeolithic Tool Cultures, Palaeolithic Tool Use, Art and Spirituality

HO Cultural Evolution (complete associated questions)

14. Describe trends in human cultural evolution between hominins with respect to methods of acquiring food. Trends to include: change from gathering to hunting, domestication of plants and animals.

BZ pg Neolithic Culture

 15. Describe trends in human cultural evolution between hominins with respect shelter and comfort.

16 Describe the trends of biological evolution with respect to changes in skull and endocranial features.

Trends to include changes in:

·   the size of the: brain, zygomatic arches, forehead, mandible, Broca’s area, Wernicke’s area

·   the prominence of the: brow ridge, chin

·   the degree of  prognathism, facial angle

·   dentition (palate shape, diastema presence and size, size of teeth, enamel thickness).

To include comparison with a non-human ape.

BZ page Trends in Human Evolution

16 # Compare the development of intelligence with the change in brain size in Hominids

Biozone page "Trend in Brain Size" 

17.  Describe trends in human cultural evolution between hominins with respect to abstract thought.

Abstract thought - expressed in the form of art (e.g. cave paintings) and spiritual practices.

18.  Describe patterns of dispersal of hominins. Compare and contrast the multiregional and replacement hypothesis. Describe the evidence supporting each hypothesis (fossil evidence, mtDNA evidence (historical and current mtDNA), nuclear DNA analysis e.g. Y chromosome genes)

BZ pg The Origin of Modern Humans, The Dispersal of Modern Humans

Resources for Out of Africa (Replacement) Hypothesis

Resources for Multiregional Hypothesis

BZ pg  Dating  prehistoric Site

 19.  Describe recent developments in interpretations in the light of new evidence.

E.g. Homo floresiensis, Sahelanthropus tchadensis, Orrorin tugenensis, Ardipithecus ramidus

Video: The Little People of Flores

BZ pg New Findings: Denisovans, New Interpretations: The Neanderthals,  Problems with Interpretations: H. florsiensis, Problems with Dating: H naledi