Humans and Monkeys (Part 3 of 3)
Finally, in our journey through the evolution of humans, we move on to the genus homo. Within this genus there are 2 main species we shall discuss today; Homo erectus and Homo sapiens neanderthalensis (though others are also important, including Homo sapiens, Homo floresiensis and Homo ergaster). Home erectus (picture 1) is named after its ability to stand upright and is noticeably important among the evolution of humans for their use of sophisticated tools for breaking up food and their use of fire. This control of fire is evidenced by the finds of burnt bones and rocks in caves in South Africa dated to 1.6 million years ago. It should be noted, however, there is no archaeological evidence yet of Homo erectus cooking food, only of using fire as a heat and/or light source. It is thought that Homo erectus was the first hominid to live in small family groups, functioning as hunter-gathers. Up to this point in time all hominin remains were found in Africa, however, it is thought Homo erectus was the first to migrate out of Africa approximately 2 million years ago.
Homo sapiens first arrived in Europe 45,000 years ago and are known as Cro-Magnons (after a cave in south-west France). This species later developed art and sculpture.
Homo neanderthalensis (or Neanderthals as seen in picture 2) is named after the Neander Valley in Germany and pre-dates Cro-Magnons by 400,000-25,000 years, leading to the belief that the two co-existed for approximately 20,000 years. Neanderthals typically had large brains, a brow ridge, barrel chests and large noses. By their skull morphology it can be seen they had a higher larynx and their tongue was higher in their mouth than humans today, suggesting they may have only been able to make slow and limited sounds. DNA sequencing has also revealed many were likely to have had ginger hair and that they often interbred with Cro-Magnons leading the European genome to today contain 1-4% Neanderthal DNA.
In conclusion, there were at least three interbreeding Pleistocene (2.6 – 0.01 million years ago) hominins and as such modern humans share DNA with their predecessors such as the Neanderthals.
~SA
Part 1: http://on.fb.me/1EcPExd Part 2: http://on.fb.me/1FrFZKk Pictures: http://bit.ly/1ETtCkq Homo erectus reconstruction by John Gurche; photographed by Tim Evanson. http://bit.ly/1LbFeno Neanderthal reconstruction by Tim Evanson.
