The History of Human Evolution

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The History of Human Evolution
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Naming Living Things

• Kingdom, Phylum, Class Order, Family, Genus,
  Species, Subspecies
• Each animal is named using the Genus and Species
  (Animals in the same Species can interbreed)
• Felis silvestris catus---cat
• Felis silvestris lybica---wildcat
• Panthera tigris---tiger
• Panthera tigris tigris---Bengal tiger
• Panthera leo---lion

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Classifying Humans
Order- Primates Family- Hominidae Genus- Homo Species- sapiens Subspecies- sapiens Order- Primates Family- Hominidae Genus- Homo Species- erectus Extinct
Order- Primates Family- Hominidae Genus- Homo Species- sapiens Subspecies- Neanderthal Extinct Order- Primates Family- Hominidae Genus- Homo Species- habilis Extinct
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Darwin believed

• Humans and apes had a common ancestor about 5 or
  6 million years ago.
• How could standing upright on feet be an
  adaptation for survival?
• About 2 million years ago hominids developed much
  larger brains (triple the size of primates) and
  thumbs that allowed for precision grip and tool
  use.

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Historical Hominids All-stars in History

• Homo sapiens sapiens (us)
• Cro-Magnon homo sapiens (extinct, first artists-
  cave paintings in France)
• Neanderthal homo sapiens (extinct)
• Homo erectus (tall as modern humans. Similar
  length arms, larger brains- learned how to use
  fire, lived in temporary campsites, division of
  labour, maybe some language)
• Homo habilis (short, large brain, long arms
  precision grip- tools)
• Australopithecus (extinct, early standing)